Dual purpose semi-automatic convertible rifle

A semi-automatic sporting rifle, firing high powered center fire cartridges, is easily and quickly convertible to a 22 rimfire rifle without loss of feel or balance. The dual purpose rifle features a short stroke, gas operating system which is rendered inactive when the rifle is converted to 22 rimfire action. In the conversion, a locking bolt assembly and magazine for high powered ammunition are replaced by a non-locking bolt and a combined cartridge adapter and magazine holder for 22 calibre rimfire ammunition. The principal components of the firearm, including barrel, receiver, firing mechanism, action spring, magazine latch, bolt connecting link, charging handle, sights, stock and forearm, are common to both forms of the rifle. The conversion may be accomplished by using only a pointed object, such as a bullet point or ball point pen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The broad concept of a firearm designed for one type of ammunition, such as 
high powered center fire cartridges, and convertible to a second form of 
ammunition, such as 22 calibre rimfire cartridges, is known in the prior 
art. One example of the patented prior art showing such a convertible 
firearm is U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,095, issued Dec. 4, 1973 to Atchisson. 
The general object of the present invention is to improve on the known 
prior art by providing an easily and quickly convertible sporting rifle of 
the semi-automatic type which may be fired as rapidly as the trigger can 
be pulled in both forms or versions of the invention. The invention was 
conceived with the idea of converting a high powered sporting rifle at 
little cost to a 22 calibre rimfire rifle for small game hunting, target 
practice, indoor shooting, and the like, in the belief that such a 
convertible firearm would appeal to a variety of gun enthusiasts. 
Governing factors in the designing of the firearm were simplicity of 
construction, ease of assembly and disassembly, ruggedness and durability, 
simplicity and safety in operation, aesthetic appeal, and the capability 
of mounting all types of open sights and scopes. 
A further and more specific objective of the invention is to provide a 
convertible semi-automatic sporting rifle of the mentioned type which has 
fewer and less complex parts than the known prior art, and in which there 
is absolutely no possibility of assembling the rifle incorrectly in either 
version thereof. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to a dual purpose 
semi-automatic sporting rifle including a locking bolt assembly as 
required for high powered center fire ammunition, a non-locking blow-back 
bolt generally used for 22 rimfire rifles and being interchangeable in the 
invention with the locking bolt assembly. The invention additionally 
employs a unique short stroke gas operating system, an improved firing 
mechanism, and simplified conveniently employed conversion components 
including an adapter unit for low cost 22 rimfire cartridges and a 
magazine for such cartridges. 
A feature of the invention is that the short stroke locking bolt gas 
powered actuator is automatically rendered inactive when the conversion to 
22 rimfire blow-back action is made. 
All principal parts of the firearm, such as barrel, receiver, firing 
mechanism, stock, forearm, charging handle, and sights remain the same in 
both forms of the invention. The conversion requires no tools except a 
simple pointed object. 
Other unique features of the invention are a simple and quick-acting 
tension release means for the main spring or action spring, tilting 
locking bolt for the high powered version of the rifle and associated bolt 
carrier having open forward ends to receive a direct impact from the short 
stroke gas-operated bolt actuator, and an improved forearm latching 
arrangement which coacts with the gas operating system to properly 
position critical components thereof. 
Other important features of the invention, differing from the prior art, 
will become apparent during the course of the following detailed 
description. 
It should be stated that the convertibility feature pertains only to rifles 
firing high powered center fire cartridges, such as the .222 Rem., .222 
Rem. Magnum, .223 Rem. (5.56MM), 22-250 Remington and the like having a 
bullet diameter of .224 inches and to rimfire cartridges generally known 
as 22 Long Rifle, 22 Long Rifle (Rifle Match), 22 Long Super X, 22 Long 
Rifle Super X, Super Speed and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals designate like 
parts, FIG. 1 depicts a dual purpose semi-automatic convertible sporting 
rifle in its entirety, with the proper components installed to enable the 
firing of high powered center fire cartridges of the type previously 
identified. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the rifle includes a barrel 30, 
receiver 31, buttstock 32 and forearm 33. It further includes a firing 
assembly or mechanism 34, locking bolt assembly 35, shown in the locked or 
closed position, and a short stroke gas operated actuator 36 for the bolt 
assembly 35. Additionally, FIG. 1 shows a tubular action or main spring 
housing 37, an action spring tension quick-release means 38, and a 
magazine 39 for high powered center fire ammunition. The interaction of 
these principal components, as well as those employed to convert the rifle 
to a 22 calibre long rifle rimfire cartridge rifle, will be fully 
described as the description proceeds. 
SHORT STROKE GAS SYSTEM 
Referring primarily to FIGS. 1 through 3, an important feature of the 
invention is the provision of a short stroke gas system beneath the gun 
barrel 30 and covered by the forearm 33, as shown, rather than placing 
this system on top of or on one side of the rifle which is undesirable in 
a sporting rifle. The gas system comprises a gas transfer block 40 which 
is integral with the barrel 30, a gas transfer tube 41, a pointed screw 42 
located in the gas transfer block 40, and the actuator 36 already 
identified in FIG. 1. 
The actuator 36 is also shown in FIG. 5 and includes an elongated bar body 
43 having a leading end cylindrical sleeve 44 which telescopes slidably 
over a cylindrical rear end portion 45 of the relatively stationary gas 
transfer tube 41. A short chamber or pocket 46 for the usual deposits 
inherent in gas operated firearms, such as carbon and minute bullet 
particles, is provided at the base of the sleeve 44 and adjacent the 
outlet of gas transfer tube 41. 
The actuator 36 further comprises a cylindrical rear extremity 47 received 
slidably in a coaxial bore 48 in the forward end of receiver 31. The 
element 47 is opposed by an actuator return spring 49 in the bore 48. A 
pair of spaced parallel arms or extensions 50 of oblong cross section are 
integrally joined with the bar body 43 through a saddle 51 which underlies 
the barrel 30, the arms 50 symmetrically straddling the barrel on opposite 
sides thereof and being received movably in a pair of registering oblong 
openings 52, FIG. 6, in the leading end of the receiver 31. When thrust 
rearwardly through these openings 52 by gas pressure, the rear ends of the 
elements 50 strike the opposing open forward ends 53 of a bolt carrier 54, 
FIG. 10, to be fully described. The bolt carrier 54 is a part of the 
locking bolt assembly 35 identified in FIG. 1 and depicted in FIG. 10. 
The gas operated actuator 36 has a gas exhaust port 55 in its sleeve 44 
through which gas is exhausted following a short forward movement of the 
actuator 36 (approximately 1/4 inch) prior to the return of the actuator 
to its normal rest position shown in FIG. 2 by the spring 49. The forward 
movement of the actuator 36 is limited by contact of the saddle 51 with 
the forward end face of receiver 31. 
The forward end of gas transfer tube 41 has threaded engagement at 56 
within the transfer block 40 and the bore of the gas transfer tube 
communicates with the bore of barrel 30 through an inlet port 57 which 
registers with similar ports 58 and 59 formed in the block 40 and barrel 
30. A screwdriver slot 60 at the front of gas transfer tube 41 allows 
adjusting of this tube to obtain proper registration of the ports 57 and 
58, after which the point 61 of screw 42 locks the tube 41 in the properly 
adjusted position to maintain the registry of the gas ports. 
The gas system departs from prior art concepts by providing a rigid unitary 
actuator 36 with the twin push arms 50, as described. The use of a tubular 
cartridge magazine as a guide for a piston or the like is absent in the 
invention, thus preventing dangerous overheating of unspent cartridges, as 
well as preventing hot gases from blowing into the receiver or being 
diverted into the face of the shooter. 
Another feature of the invention closely related to the improved gas system 
and also shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is an improved arrangement for attaching 
the forearm 33 in covering relationship to the described short stroke gas 
operating system. The forearms of semi-automatic sporting rifles and 
shotguns tend to loosen because of recoil shocks and heat, and this is 
extremely unpleasant for the shooter even though the condition may not be 
dangerous in terms of the forearm detaching itself from the rifle. The 
improved forearm attaching means which overcomes this problem completely 
comprises a bushing 62 which has a slightly tapered bore receiving a 
conically tapered extension 63 on the bottom of gas transfer block 40. 
These interfitting tapered elements are not self-locking but do provide a 
wedging connection. The screw 42 which carries a swivel ring 64 passes 
through the bushing 62 and is threaded into the extension 63 of the gas 
transfer block, thus locking the front portion of the forearm 33 securely 
into position. Preferably, the metal bushing 62 is pressed into an opening 
in the wooden forearm thus becoming an integral part of the forearm. 
At its rear end, the forearm 33 has a pair of laterally spaced pins 65 
pressed into openings thereof so as to become integral therewith. These 
pins have cylindrical heads 66 which are tapered at 67 and the heads abut 
the rear end face of the forearm as shown in FIG. 2. The short heads are 
received in a matching recess 68, FIG. 4, in the forward end face of 
receiver 31, thus securely and rigidly locking the rear of the forearm in 
place. To disassemble the forearm, the screw 42 is removed and the forearm 
will pivot about the tapered portions 67 of the rear pins and easily 
detach itself from the taper 63 of the gas transfer block 40. The screw 42 
through its swivel 64 may also be equipped with a fastener loop 69 for a 
rifle sling, not shown. 
BOLT ACTION 
For high powered ammunition, the semi-automatic firearm employs the 
previously noted bolt assembly 35, FIGS. 1 and 10, comprising bolt 70 and 
the bolt carrier 54. The bolt 70 is the primary mass and houses a firing 
pin 71 and a shell extractor 72. The bolt carrier 54, combined with a 
connecting link 73 and an action spring plunger 74, constitutes a 
secondary mass or inertia body. By pulling rearwardly on a charging handle 
75 secured to the bolt carrier in a manner to be described, according to a 
feature of the invention, a pair of lugs 76 on the interior side walls of 
the generally U-shaped bolt carrier will engage two recessed cam faces 77 
on opposite sides of the bolt 70 and cam the bolt downwardly or away from 
a locking shoulder 78 on the top wall of receiver 31. This unlocks bolt 
70, allowing it to travel rearwardly with the bolt carrier 54, to its 
rearmost position illustrated in FIG. 7, compressing an action spring 79 
contained in the tubular housing 37, located in the buttstock 32. 
Upon releasing of the charging handle 75, the action spring 79 will move 
the bolt assembly 35 including bolt carrier 54 and bolt 70 in the forward 
direction, such movement being guided by the side walls 80 of the receiver 
31 and the upper edges 81 of a trigger housing 82. This forward movement 
of the bolt assembly under influence of the spring 79 forces a cartridge 
83, FIG. 7, from the magazine 39 and into the firing chamber 84 to 
complete the charging of the firearm. When the bolt 70 engages the forward 
end wall 85 of the receiver 31, FIG. 6, and the bolt carrier 54 is still 
traveling forwardly, the lugs 76 of the bolt carrier will ride under the 
inclined camming faces 86 of the bolt and will enter notches 87 
immediately ahead of the camming faces 86 to elevate the rear end of the 
bolt 70 with a tilting motion, thus locking the bolt firmly against the 
receiver locking shoulder 78. 
The above-described bolt action takes place automatically when the rifle is 
fired. Upon firing a cartridge, the described short stroke gas system 
drives the actuator 36 rearwardly and its arms 50 strike the open front 
ends 53 of bolt carrier 54 moving the action automatically through its 
work stroke, as will be clear to anyone skilled in the art. 
A feature of the invention is embodied in the means for removably attaching 
the charging handle 75 to the bolt carrier 54 of locking bolt assembly 35 
or to a unitary blow-back bolt 88 of a non-locking type, FIG. 15, employed 
in the conversion of the firearm to low cost and low power rimfire 
ammunition. This attaching means comprises an interior oblong extension 89 
on the charging handle 75 which is received in a mating side wall opening 
90 of the bolt carrier 54 or a like mating opening 91 of the bolt 88, FIG. 
15. The bolt carrier is additionally provided in its bottom face with a 
slot 92 which intersects the opening 90 and receives an eccentrically 
pivoted locking key 93 on plate having a pivotal connection at 94, FIG. 
11, with the adjacent side wall of the bolt carrier 54. The handle 
extension 89 has a slot 95 which receives the plate 93 lockingly when the 
parts are assembled as the FIGS. 9 and 11. An adjacent ledge 96 of the 
receiver 31 and one top edge 81 of the trigger housing 82 prevents 
downward pivoting of the locking plate 93 in any working position of the 
bolt carrier and thus the charging handle is retained safely on the 
firearm. The identical charging handle attaching or locking means is 
employed on the rimfire bolt 88. The receiver 31 has a side wall slot 75' 
through which handle 75 may travel fore and aft. 
Closely allied with the described bolt action and forming a further feature 
of the invention is an action spring release means shown in FIGS. 12 and 
13 which facilitates disassembling of the firearm for cleaning or for 
changing bolts when converting from one form of ammunition to another. The 
action spring release means comprises a cylindrical tube 97 inside of the 
action spring tubular housing 37 rotatably. A notched fingerpiece 98 is 
pinned at 99 to the tube 97 and is accessible for manual operation through 
an opening 100 in a butt plate 101. A cylindrical insert 102 fixed in the 
forward end of tube 97 has a crossbore for the reception of a pair of 
stepped cylindrical pins 103 with a compression spring 104 intervened 
therebetween to urge these pins outwardly in opposite directions. The 
outer terminals of stepped pins 103 are received in longitudinal slots 105 
formed through action spring housing 37, and which slots have bayonet pin 
locking terminals 106 which may also receive the stepped pins 103. 
The assembled elements 97, 98 and 102 form a movable plunger within the 
tubular housing 37 which is opposed by the action spring 79. When the pins 
103 are locked in the slot terminals 106, as shown, the action spring 79 
is under full tension tending to urge the plunger 74 forwardly with link 
73 and bolt assembly 35. To release the tension of spring 79 for the 
stated purposes, the fingerpiece 98 is engaged and forced inwardly while 
rotation is being imparted to the plunger sufficiently to bring the 
locking pins 103 into alignment with the straight slots 105. Approximately 
ten degrees of rotation of the manual plunger will suffice. The action 
spring 79 will now force the manual plunger rearwardly through the opening 
100 until the pins 103 bottom in the rear ends of straight slots 105. In 
this position, the tension of action spring 79 is substantially relieved 
so that it offers little resistance to retraction of the bolt assembly 35 
and associated elements. To restore normal tension in the action spring 
79, the manual plunger is moved axially forwardly in the tubular housing 
37 to align the pins 103 with the entrances of slot extensions 106, 
twisted and then released. 
The forward end of tubular housing 37 is threaded as at 107 into a rear 
sleeve extension 108 of receiver 31. Nut 109 releasably secures the rear 
end of housing 37 in the buttstock 32. 
The previously-mentioned connecting link 37 has its rear end pivotally 
connected at 110 to apertured knuckles 111 of the plunger 74. As best 
shown in FIG. 22, the link 73 is bifurcated to form thereon resilient 
parallel arms 112 which are apertured at 113 near their leading ends. Rear 
depending lugs 114 on the bolt carrier 54 have inwardly facing short 
connector pins 115 rigid therewith. The link 73 is readily connectable 
with the bolt carrier 54 by deflecting the arms 112 inwardly as shown in 
broken lines in FIG. 22 and engaging the apertures 113 with the pins 115 
of the bolt carrier to form a pivotal connection between the elements. 
FIRING MECHANISM 
The firearm includes an improved firing mechanism previously-identified by 
the numeral 34 and including the aforementioned trigger housing 82 whose 
spaced side walls provide the edges 81 for the fore and aft guidance of 
the bolt assembly, as described. More particularly, the firing mechanism 
comprises a hammer 116, a sear 117 and a trigger 118. The sear and trigger 
are mounted on a common pivot pin 119. The sear 117 and sear spring 120 
are located in a center cavity 121 of the trigger 118. The trigger has a 
forward extension 122 to cooperate with a safety 123. Sear spring 120 
forces the sear 117 to pivot about pin 119 in a clockwise direction which 
is limited by contact with a surface 124 of the trigger 118. A torsion 
spring 125 mounted on the cylindrical pivot hub 126 of the hammer 116 
forces the hammer into counterclockwise rotation about pivot pin 127 and 
serves also as a trigger spring, with the two legs 128 resting on a 
protruding pin 129 in the trigger, forcing the trigger about its pivot pin 
119 in a clockwise direction. The pin 129 also acts as a stop for the 
trigger by contact with the bottom wall 130 of the trigger housing 82. 
An elongated opening 131 in the sear 117 allows the necessary movement of 
the sear on the fixed pin 119 to catch the hammer 116 whether the trigger 
is depressed or not, FIGS. 16 and 6. 
FIG. 6 shows the safety 123 "on" and the hammer engaged by the sear. The 
trigger extension 122 rests firmly on the safety and the trigger cannot be 
depressed or pulled. FIG. 7 shows the safety "off" and hammer engaged. By 
depressing the trigger 118, extension 122 can now move into notch 132 of 
axially shiftable safety 123, which is maintained in the "off" or "on" 
position by a spring arm 133, FIG. 8, and two cooperating detent notches 
134. The spring arm 133 is anchored to the trigger housing 82 as shown in 
FIG. 6. Sear 117 and trigger 118 can now rotate on their common pivot 119 
counterclockwise. The trigger nose 135 forces the sear off of the hammer 
nose 136, permitting the hammer 116 to fly forwardly and strike the firing 
pin 71. At a firing cycle, when the trigger is depressed, as in FIG. 16, 
the sear 117 is forced downwardly on its elongated opening 131 by the sear 
spring 120 and rests on surface 124 in the trigger. When the hammer is 
again forced downwardly by retraction of the bolt 70, FIG. 7, it engages 
the sear 117 in this latter position. When the trigger is permitted to 
return to its normal position, FIG. 6, the sear 117 moves upwardly on its 
elongated opening 131 and rests again on the trigger nose 135. This 
concludes the firing mechanism cycle of operation which can now be 
repeated. 
THE CONVERSION 
As stated previously, the main object of the invention is to provide a 
semi-automatic firearm having dual capability. FIGS. 14 through 19 of the 
drawings deal primarily with the parts involved in the conversion. The 
sportsman can select a certain type of shooting by owning a single rifle. 
Within seconds, he can place the bolt assembly in the receiver 31 to fire 
high powered center fire cartridges 83 or low cost 22 rimfire cartridges 
137, FIG. 16. Since the rifle was designed from the beginning with this 
dual capability in mind, a sportsman could purchase the rifle with the 
proper parts to fire 22 rimfire cartridges only, and decide later to buy 
the parts necessary to fire high powered center fire cartridges, or vice 
versa. 
As shown in the drawings, the components necessary to fire 22 rimfire 
cartridges include the bolt assembly 88, previously identified, an adapter 
assembly 138 and a magazine 139. The components required to fire high 
powered center fire cartridges and already described in detail are the 
bolt assembly 35 and the magazine 39. All other components are common to 
the two versions of the invention. To convert the system to one capable of 
firing 22 rimfire cartridges, no special tools whatsoever are needed. Only 
a pointed object, such as a bullet point or ball point pen, is utilized. 
The conversion procedure is as follows: 
1. Remove the magazine 39 by releasing the pivoted spring-urged magazine 
latch 140, FIG. 7, and make certain that now cartridge 83 remains in the 
chamber 84. 
2. Release the tension of the action spring 79 by manipulating the plunger 
assembly consisting of elements 97, 98 and 102, etc., as previously 
described. 
3. Push out the spring-held pin 141 and swing out the trigger housing 83 
from the receiver. 
4. Pull back the bolt assembly 35 by means of handle 75 as shown in FIG. 7. 
With the tension on action spring 79 released, the bolt assembly will 
remain retracted. With a pointed object, engage the locking key 93 which 
will freely pivot on the pin 94 to release the charging handle 75 which is 
removed. The bolt assembly 35 is now removed through the rear bottom of 
the receiver chamber. 
5. Separate the connecting link 73 from the pins 115 of bolt carrier 54, as 
previously described. 
6. Engage the connecting link 73 with the corresponding pins 142, FIGS. 15 
and 16, of the rimfire blow-back bolt assembly 88 which replaces the 
center fire bolt assembly 35 in the firearm, and re-attach the common 
charging handle 75. 
7. Now the adapter assembly 138 can be inserted through the rear bottom of 
the receiver 31. A straight forward motion will slide the assembly 138 
into position between parallel vertically spaced side rails 143 of the 
receiver 31. Following this operation, the common trigger housing 82 with 
the described firing mechanism can be set into place. Forward stepped side 
wall projections 144 of trigger housing 82 enter between the rails 143 to 
support the front of the trigger housing, and the spring-held pin 141 
supports the rear of the trigger housing firmly in the receiver. At the 
same time, the arrangement prevents the adapter assembly 80 from moving 
horizontally longitudinally. Side projections or bosses 145 on the adapter 
assembly 138, FIG. 18, are also received guidingly between the rails 143. 
Integral parts of adapter assembly 138 are chamber 146 for rimfire 
cartridges 137, magazine holder 147, ejector 148, magazine latch 149 and 
pin 150. The rigid pin 150 blocks or disables the gas operated actuator 36 
while the rimfire blow-back bolt assembly 88 is in use, by entering the 
bore 48, FIG. 16, and opposing rearward movement of actuator element 47. 
8. A filled magazine 139 for the 22 rimfire cartridges 37 is then inserted 
in the magazine holder 147 which has a passage 151 to receive the 
magazine. A magazine nose or detent 152, FIG. 16, engages the bottom of 
holder 147 and the spring-loaded latch 149 snaps into a notch 153 of the 
magizine. The latch 140 used to hold center fire catridge magazine 39 in 
place operates in conjunction with the latch 149, as shown in FIG. 16, the 
spring 154 of latch 140 acting against the weaker spring of latch 149, 
thus assuring a firm locking of the magazine 139. 
PROTECTION AGAINST PREMATURE FIRING 
In semi-automatic 22 rimfire rifles, where the bolt is held against the 
base of the cartridge by an action spring (blow- back action) as in the 
present firearm, it may happen that a malformed or weak cartridge is not 
fully chambered. When fired, the bottom of the cartridge or a part thereof 
may blow out, and brass splinters and hot gases are forced rearwardly 
toward the face of the shooter creating a dangerous situation. In the 
present invention, the bolt assembly 88 has a forward hood 155, FIG. 15 
and FIG. 16, which fits over a rear shoulder 156 of chamber 146. Thus, 
when a weak cartridge blows out, the splinters and gases are directed 
forwardly or away from the shooter's face where they can do no harm. 
The firing pin 157 for rimfire bolt assembly 88 is also indiated in the 
drawings, see FIGS. 15, 16 and 19. 
BOLT STOP FEATURE 
In semi-automatic sporting rifles where the receiver construction is such 
that the bolt is not readily removable through the rear end of the 
receiver, it is convenient to have means for holding the bolt open for 
such reasons as cleaning the barrel with a patch or brush where the 
chamber end of the barrel can be seen, ventilating the barrel between 
shots, feeding single cartridges by hand and for additional safety. In the 
present invention, according to both versions thereof, FIGS. 20 and 21, a 
simple means is provided for holding the bolt open without the addition of 
any new parts. 
Referring to FIG. 20, this feature is accomplished in the high powered 
center fire rifle embodiment by removing the magazine 39 and adjusting the 
safety 123 to "off" so that the trigger 118 can be depressed. The bolt 
assembly 35 is pulled by the handle 75 to the rearmost position. The 
bottom surface 158 of bolt carrier 54 has now cammed the hammer 116 down 
into engagement with sear 117 as shown in FIG. 7. The trigger is now 
depressed and the bolt assembly 35 is allowed to move slowly forwardly. 
With the trigger depressed, sear 117 will disengage the hammer. forced by 
the torsion spring 125, the hammer 116 enters a pocket 159 created in the 
unlocked bolt assembly. In this position, the shoulder 160 of bolt carrier 
54 rests against the hammer back 161 and locks the bolt assembly in the 
intermediate position shown in FIG. 20. 
The bolt stop or hold-open feature of the invention functions in 
essentially the same manner for the 22 rimfire action, where a pocket 162 
is provided in the bottom of the unitary blow-back bolt 88. 
To move the bolt assembly home, it is simply necessary to pull the bolt 
assembly back to its rearmost position and release it. Shoulder 163, FIG. 
20, and shoulder 164, FIG. 21, will cam the hammer 116 downwardly and 
engage it with the sear 117. The bolt assembly driven by the action spring 
79 can now move freely home. 
It should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that the dual 
purpose, easily convertible, sporting rifle is provided by the invention 
in which a number of novel features directly interact to render the 
firearm efficient, convenient to use, comparatively economical and very 
safe. The design is uncluttered and compact and proper feel and balance 
are maintained in each embodiment or version. The invention fulfills a 
definite need in a practical manner and the many advantages of the 
invention should now be clear without further elaboration. 
It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and 
described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that 
various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be 
resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope 
of the subjoined claims.