Semi automatic device for applying tear gas

A semi automatic device for applying tear gas which includes a tear gas pressure vessel containing a compressed solution of tear gas agent disposed in a suitable solvent. The solution is forced out of the pressure vessel into the surroundings by gas vapor pressure through a valve having a small orifice. The valve is controlled by an axial lever mounted co-axially to a helical spring which resists the lever's movement. The lever engages a hammer which is mounted onto a triggerlike handle so that when the user presses the trigger the hammer engages the axial lever and moves it to release a tear gas spray through the valve orifice. When the trigger is released the co-axial helical spring returns the axial lever immediately to its home station thus disengaging it from said hammer and to close the valve orifice to prevent further flow of tear gas particles outward. There are also provided mechanisms for assuring that only a predetermined amount of tear gas is discharged.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Tear gas applying devices are known in the prior art, they are either 
non-automatic devices whereby the user operates a valve releasing the 
required amount of gas from a pressurized cylinder where the gas causing 
tears is stored. Or, such devices are in the form of a fully automatic 
valve controlled device usually triggered from a distance to release the 
tear gas contents from a pressurized cylinder for a predetermined time or 
until the full contents of the gas are released. Automatic valve control 
of this type could be accomplished either electrically or pneumatically. 
The design contemplated herein of the semi automatic tear gas applying 
device precludes said device from being operated by mistake as a 
consequence of pressure being applied to the handle or trigger either by 
the user or by other means. The design also assures an automatic shut off 
of the tear gas valve immediately after application of a predetermined 
amount of such gas to minimize the amount of gas released, hence saving 
unnecessary gas use, and insuring that the amount of gas emitted is within 
normal medical limits. 
Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a mechanical 
arrangement enabling the user of the tear-gas applying device to release a 
preset quantity of gas on each action of the trigger to achieve a result 
similar to a semi automatic weapon releasing one bullet at a time without 
the need of reloading. 
It is another object of this invention to permit the user to release a 
quantity of gas adjusted to the regular needs he may have, as may be 
determined by the size of a room or size of a crowd he is confronted with, 
and without having to assess each time the quantity of gas to be released, 
as is the case in a manual operation, to thereby avoid an overcharge of 
gas. It will be understood that this enables the user to act faster by 
releasing the ideal quantity of gas to achieve the desired results without 
overdosing or underdosing. 
Another important object of this invention is that the device is 
automatically set to the user's requirements when a need to use tear-gas 
arises. The equipment is portable and does not require a separate energy 
source. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention described herein provides a semi automatic tear-gas applying 
device comprising a tear gas pressure vessel containing a compressed 
solution of a chemical producing tears disposed in a suitable solvent. 
Said compressed solution is forced out of the pressure vessel into the 
surrounding area by the gas pressure in the vessel and flows through a 
valve having a small orifice. The value is controlled by a pin valve. The 
pin valve, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, engages a 
hammer means which is mounted on the trigger handle so that when the user 
presses the trigger the hammer engages the axial pin valve and moves it. 
The pin valve is operated by a plate type trigger means which may be 
mounted coaxially to a helical spring mounted on one of the two handles of 
the device and a torque spring mounted on the same handle to operate said 
triggering plate when pressure is applied on it. The safety hammer is 
between the two handles of the device and is pressed down against said 
torque spring; so that when the operate releases the safety pin and 
presses one of the handles, the safety hammer moves down also pressing 
said torque spring. When further pressure is applied by the operator on 
said handle said handle pushes said triggering plate which engages the pin 
valve thus releasing gas flow through the open orifice. 
In order to insure that the operator will not be able to hold said trigger 
plate in an intermediate position whereby the pin valve may fall into a 
slanted pit at the end of the triggering plate, thus emitting the gas 
continuously through the said open orifice, a leaf spring is attached to 
the said handle, so that when the said safety hammer moves down it is 
stopped against the said leaf spring and this function can only be 
overcome by applying heavy pressure on the said handles. When the operator 
applies a certain pressure on the handles the leaf spring deforms so that 
the movement of the handles is not possible at an intermediate position. 
However the handles move towards each other as far as they are free to 
move to cause the said pin valve to fall into slanted position to return 
it to its original position to close the gas valve causing only a 
predetermined amount of tear gas flow. When the pressure is released by 
the operator and the said handles return to their original position the 
safety hammer moves up and engages the two handles and locks same so they 
cannot move even if pressure is applied to the handles. 
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
In a preferred embodiments the safety hammer may be released by a knob 
mounted on the hammer's center pin. The knob moves the hammer down along 
with the two attached handles. The said knob is operated by the operator 
as will be clearly understood by one skilled in this art. 
In another embodiment the triggering plate position can also be adjusted by 
a knob mounted on the helical compression spring which is on a selected 
handle. 
In another embodiment said helical compression spring and triggering plate 
are mounted on the moveable handle. 
In another embodiment the mechanism of the gas release valve between the 
handles is covered by two safety cover plates. 
The material of construction of the pressure vessel could preferably be 
made of metal (steel) or reinforced composite plastic material; the 
trigger mechanisms could be made of steel, aluminum or rigid reinforced 
plastic. 
For a more complete understanding of the above and other features and 
advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following 
detailed description of a preferred embodiment and to the accompanying 
drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
FIG. 1 illustrates the functioning of the mechanism, as will be understood 
by one skilled in the art, when the operator presses together the handles 
31 and 32. After pressing down on the knob 33 the safety hammer 38 is then 
pressed enabling handle 32 to move anticlockwise against the handle 31, 
the hammer 38 then will move down to also press on leaf spring 39. When 
further pressure is applied on the handles 31 and 32 spring 39 is 
compressed allowing uninterrupted movement of the triggering plate 40 
towards pin valve 42 which operates the gas release valve 37. 
Immediately after this procedure, and as best seen by viewing FIGS. 3, 4, 5 
and 6 successively, pin valve 42 slides in an uninterrupted manner to 
penetrate into the slanted pit or depression at the lower part of the 
triggering plate 40, thus releasing the pin valve 42 to thereby close the 
valve 37. When the pressure is released from the handles 31 and 32, the 
helical spring 44 moves the triggering plate 40 back to its original 
position. Torque spring 41 moves hammer 38 to its position locking the 
movement of the handles 31 and 32 by the arm 43. 
FIG. 1 shows the function of the safety hammer designated 38, connected to 
the arm 43. Spring 41 presses hammer up when the pressure is released, and 
knob 33 presses arms down when operator applies pressure by thumb. Cover 
plates 35 and 36 shields the mechanism. 
FIG. 2 shows the function of the safety hammer 38, connected to the arms 
43. Spring 41 presses the hammer up when pressure is released, and knob 33 
presses the arms down when the operator applies pressure. Cover plates 35 
and 36 shields the mechanism as indicated hereinabove. 
Viewing FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 successively illustrates the functioning of the 
mechanism at different positions, when the operator presses together the 
handles 31 and 32 after pressing down on knob 33 (not seen). The safety 
hammer 38 is pressed down, enabling handle 32 to move in this embodiment 
anticlockwise towards handle 31. The hammer 38 moves down also to press on 
the spring 39. 
When further pressure is applied on the handles 31 and 32, the spring 39 is 
compressed allowing uninterrupted movement of the triggering plate 40 
towards pin valve 42 which operates the gas release valve 37. Immediately 
after opening of the valve, pin valve 42 slides in an uninterrupted manner 
to penetrate into the slanted pit at the lower part of the triggering 
plate 40 thus releasing pin valve 42 which causes a closing of the valve 
37 (as in FIG. 6). When pressure is released from the handles 31 and 32, 
the helical spring 44 moves triggering plate 40 back to its original 
position. Spring 41 moves hammer 38 to its position locking the movement 
of the handles 31 and 32 by the arms 43 (as shown in FIG. 3). 
In FIG. 7 there is shown a pressure vessel 20 containing a pressurized 
solution of the tear gas forming ingredient. The vessel 20 is connected to 
a device for releasing the spray particles in the vessel through a pipe 21 
when trigger 32 is pressed towards the user. Handle 31 is for convenience 
of the user. 
It should be understood, of course, that the specific forms of the 
invention herein illustrated and described are intended to be 
representative only as certain changes may be made in the invention 
without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, 
reference should be made to the following appended claims determining the 
full scope of the invention.