Patent Abstract:
A fluid gun ( 700 ) is disclosed having an electric pump ( 704 ) for conveying air to a pressure chamber ( 701 ) having a release valve ( 702 ) for controlling the release of fluid. The activation of the electric pump is controlled by a pressure sensitive actuation switch ( 713 ) which senses the pressure within the pressure chamber and activates the pump when the sensed pressure falls within a minimal range.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to fluid guns, and specifically to fluid toy guns which utilize compressed air to launch a projectile or to propel a stream of water. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Toy guns which shoot or launch projectiles have been very popular for many years. These guns have been designed to launch projectiles in a number of ways. A common method of launching has been by the compression of a spring which propels the projectile upon its decompression or release, as, for example, with BB guns and dart guns. These guns however usually do not generate enough force to launch projectiles with great velocity. 
     Toy guns have also been designed which use compressed air to launch projectiles such as foam darts. These types of guns use a reciprocating air pump to pressurize air within a pressure tank. In use, a single dart is loaded and the pump is typically reciprocated several times with each firing of the gun. Therefore, the gun must be loaded and pumped with each firing as it is not capable of firing several darts in rapid sequence. The rapid firing of a gun may be desired for those playing a mock war or other type of competition. Small children however quickly become tired due to having to actuate the pumping mechanism of these guns in a continuous manner. A child may also forget to repressurize the gun following its actuation, thereby rendering the gun inoperable at a later time when the child desires to fire a projectile. As such, the child must quickly actuate the pumping mechanism in order to fire the projectile. 
     Toy guns have also been designed which produce a stream of water and hence are commonly referred to as water guns. The most simple method of ejecting water has been with the actuation of a manual pump coupled to the trigger of the gun. The pump is actuated by the mere pressure exerted by one finger of an operator upon the trigger, thus the pump typically cannot generate enough pressure to eject the water a lengthy distance. Additionally, these types of pumps work on the actuation of a compression piston which create single, short bursts of water. However, many children desire the production of an extended stream of water. 
     Water guns have also been designed with small electric pumps which expel a stream of water from a tube coupled to the pump, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,706,848 and 4,743,030. However, these small electric pumps typically do not generate enough force to eject the stream of water a lengthy distance. 
     Water guns have also been designed with a pressure tank adapted to hold water therein and a manual air pump for supplying a volume of pressurized air into the pressure tank. Again, with extended use of these guns a small child may become quite tired having to continuously actuate the pumping mechanism continuously with each firing of the gun. Furthermore, here again, a child may forget to pressurize the pressure tank and thus be unable to fire the gun at a desired time. 
     Accordingly, it is seen that a need remains for a toy fluid gun which may be pressurized in a quick and efficient manner. It is to the provision of such therefore that the present invention is primarily directed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a preferred form of the invention a compressed air gun for firing projectiles comprises an electric power source, an electrically motorized air pump coupled to the electric power source, a pressure chamber in fluid communication with the air pump, a launch tube in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, a release valve in fluid communication with the launch tube which controls the release of pressurized air from the pressure chamber to the launch tube, and trigger means for actuating the release valve. The gun also has pressure sensitive actuation means in fluid communication with the pressure chamber for sensing the air pressure associated with the pressure chamber and energizing the motorized air pump when the sensed air pressure is within a select pressure range. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rapid fire compressed air gun embodying principles of the present invention in a preferred form. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view, shown in partial cross-section, of the air gun of FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 3-5 are a sequence of views showing a portion of the air gun of FIG. 1, which show in sequence, the actuation of an actuator which indexes a magazine and controls a release valve. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rapid fire compressed air gun embodying principles of the present invention in another preferred form. 
     FIG. 7 is a rear view of portions of the air gun of FIG. 6 with the pump shown in side view for clarity of explanation. 
     FIG. 8 is a rear view of portions of the air gun of FIG. 6 with the pump shown in side view for clarity of explanation. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view, shown in partial cross-section, of interior components of the air gun of FIG. 6 and a projectile positioned within the barrel of the gun. 
     FIG. 10 is a side view, shown in partial cross-section, of an alternative design for the interior components of the air gun of FIG. 1, shown in a pressurizing configuration. 
     FIG. 11 is a side view, shown in partial cross-section, of the interior components shown in FIG. 10, shown in a firing configuration. 
     FIG. 12 is a schematic view of portions of an air compressed gun in another preferred form. 
     FIGS. 13-16 are a sequence of side views, shown in partial cross-section, of a portion of the interior components of the air gun of FIG. 12, which show in sequence, the actuation of the interior components controlling the release of pressurized air. 
     FIGS. 17-20 are a sequence of side views, shown in partial cross-section, of a portion of the interior components in another preferred embodiment, which show in sequence, the actuation of the interior components controlling the release of pressurized air. 
     FIGS. 21 and 22 are a sequence of top views of the magazine of the air gun of FIG. 12, which show in sequence, the rotation of the magazine in conjunction with the actuation of the control valve. 
     FIGS. 23-26 are a sequence of side views, shown in partial cross-section, of a portion of the interior components in another preferred embodiment, which show in sequence, the actuation of the fluid pulsator controlling the release of pressurized fluids. 
     FIGS. 27-28 are a sequence of side views, shown in partial cross-section, of a portion of the interior components in another preferred embodiment, which show in sequence, the actuation of the fluid pulsator controlling the release of pressurized fluids. 
     FIG. 29 is a schematic view of a toy gun shown firing a sequence of water bursts. 
     FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a variable flow fluid valve in an alternative embodiment. 
     FIGS. 31-33 are a sequence of side views, shown in partial cross-section, of a portion of the interior components in another preferred embodiment, which show in sequence, the actuation of the fluid pulsator controlling the release of pressurized fluids. 
     FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram of a toy gun in another preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram of a toy gun in another preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram of a toy gun in another preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 37 is a detailed view of the actuation switch of the toy gun shown in FIG.  35 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference next to the drawings, there is shown a compressed air gun  10  having a stock or handle  11 , a barrel  12  mounted to the stock  11 , a spring biased trigger  13 , and a manual air pump  14 . The gun  10  has a pressure chamber or tank  15  in fluid communication with the air pump  14  through a pressure tube  16  and a multi-projectile magazine  18  rotationally mounted to stock  11 . The pump  14  includes a conventional cylinder  20 , a cylinder rod  21  and a handle  22  mounted to an end of the cylinder rod  21 . 
     The magazine  18  has a central pivot rod  24  mounted to a disk-shaped mounting plate  25  and an annular array of projectile barrels  26  extending from the mounting plate  25  in generally two concentric circles about pivot rod  24 . Each barrel  26  has a launch tube  27  therein aligned with an opening  28  extending through the mounting plate  25 . Likewise, the openings  28  are oriented in two concentric circles or annular arrays with each opening of the inner circle being positioned generally between two adjacent opening of the outer circle, so as to appear in staggered fashion, as best shown in FIGS. 3-5. Thus, each opening  28 ′ of the outer annular array of openings  28 ′ is aligned along a radius and spaced a selected distance d1 from the center of the mounting plate, and each opening  28 ″ of the inner annular array of openings  28 ″ is aligned along a radius and spaced a selected distance d2 from the center. The gun magazine is shown in FIG. 2 as having only one barrel for clarity of explanation. Mounting plate  25  has series of peripheral, outwardly extending, serrated teeth  31  each of which is aligned with a barrel  26 . The serrated teeth  31  are configured to cooperate with a pawl  32  extending from the stock  11 . The mounting plate  25  also has an annular array of L-shaped grooves  33  equal in number to the number of magazine barrels  26 . 
     The gun  10  has a pressure chamber  35  adapted to receive and store a supply of air at elevated pressure levels and a pressure sensitive release valve  36  mounted within the pressure chamber  35 . The pressure chamber  35  has an exit opening  37  therein. A spring biased sealing plate  38  is mounted within opening  37 . The sealing plate  38  has a central bore  39  extending into an elongated bore  40  configured to overlay the mounting plate openings  28 . It should be noted that the mounting plate openings  28  are positioned so that the sealing plate elongated bore  40  overlaps only one opening  28  at a time. A gasket  42  is mounted to the sealing plate  38  to ensure sealing engagement of the sealing plate with the mounting plate  25 . The release valve  36  has a cylindrical manifold  45  and a cylindrical plunger  46  slidably mounted within manifold  45 . Plunger  46  has a gasket  47  to ensure sealing engagement of the plunger about opening  37 . 
     The release valve manifold  45  is pneumatically coupled to an actuator  50 , by a pressure tube  51  extending therebetween the actuator  50  automatically and sequentially causes the actuation of the release valve  36 . Actuator  50  includes an elongated manifold  52  having an upper opening  53  in fluid communication with pressure tube  51  and a lower opening  55  in fluid communication with another pressure tube  56  extending from the pressure tank  15  and positioned so as to be pinchably closed by spring biased trigger  13 . A piston  58  is movably mounted within actuator manifold  52 . Piston  58  has a top seal  59  and a bottom seal  60 . The actuator  50  also has a pressure cylinder  62  having a vent  61  adjacent its top end. Pressure cylinder  62  is coupled in fluid communication with pressure chamber  35  by a pressure tube  63 . A piston  64 , having an elongated piston rod  65 , is mounted within the actuator pressure cylinder  62  for reciprocal movement therein between a low pressure position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and a high pressure position shown in FIG. 4. A coil spring  67  mounted about piston rod  65  biases the piston  64  towards its low pressure position. Piston rod  65  is coupled to piston  58  by an over center torsion spring  68 , such as that made by Barnes Group Incorporated of Corry, Pa. under model number T038180218-R. An indexing finger  69 , mounted to an end of the piston rod  65 , is configured to sequentially engage and ride within each magazine L-shaped groove  33 . 
     In use, an operator actuates the pump to pressurize a supply of air by grasping the handle  22  and reciprocating the cylinder rod  21  back and forth within the cylinder  20 . Pressurized air is passed through pressure tube  16  into the pressure tank  15 . Manual actuation of the trigger  13  moves the trigger to a position wherein it unpinches pressure tube  56  so as to allow pressurized air within the pressure tank  15  to pass through pressure tube  56  into actuator manifold  52  between the top and bottom seals  59  and  60 . The pressurized air then passes out of lower opening  55  and through pressure tube  51  into release valve manifold  45 . 
     The pressurized air within the release valve manifold  45  causes the plunger  46  to move to a forward position sealing the opening  37 . Pressurized air then flows between the plunger  46  and the release valve manifold  45  so as to pressurize the pressure chamber  35 . A portion of the pressurized air within pressure chamber  35  passes through pressure tube  63  into the actuator pressure cylinder  62 . With increased pressure within pressure cylinder  62  the piston  64  is forced upwards against the biasing force of coil spring  67 , i.e. the piston  64  is moved from its low pressure position shown in FIG. 3 to its high pressure position shown in FIG.  4 . As shown in FIG. 4, upward movement of the piston rod  65  causes compression of torsion spring  68  and the finger  69  to ride up within a mounting plate groove  33  thereby causing clockwise rotation of the magazine  18  which brings opening  28 ″ into fluid communication with seal plate  38 . All references herein to downward and upward directions is for purposes of clarity in reference to the drawings and is not meant to indicate gravity sensitivity. Upon reaching the apex of the movement of piston rod  65  the torsion spring  68  decompresses thereby forcing piston  58  downward, as shown in FIG.  5 . Downward movement of piston  58  causes the top seal  59  to be positioned between upper opening  53  and lower opening  55 . This positioning of the piston  58  isolates manifold lower opening  55  to prevent escape of pressurized air from pressure tank  15 . This positioning of the top seal  59  also allows pressurized air within pressure tube  51  to escape to ambience through the top of actuator manifold  52 . The release of air pressure causes the plunger  46  to move to a rearward position unsealing opening  37 . With the unsealing of opening  37  pressurized air within pressure chamber  35  flows through opening  37 , into the central and elongated bores  39  and  40  of sealing plate  38 , and into the launch tube  27  through mounting plate opening  28 . Pressurized air within launch tube  27  propels the projectile out of the magazine barrel  26  and through gun barrel  12 . The actuation of this type of release valve is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,705. 
     Upon the release of pressurized air from pressure chamber  35  the pressurized air within pressure cylinder  62  is released through pressure tube  63  back into pressure chamber  35 . The release of air from pressure cylinder  62  causes the piston  64  be spring biased by coil spring  67  back downward to its low pressure position. The downward movement of piston  64  retracts the indexing finger  69  from within a mounting plate groove  33  and positions the finger in register with the following mounting plate groove  33 . The low pressure positioning of piston  64  causes the torsion spring  68  to bias piston  58  upwards to its initial position with the top and bottom seals  59  and  60  straddling upper and lower openings  53  and  55 , as shown in FIG.  3 . This repositioning of piston  58  once again causes pressurized air within pressure tank  15  to flow through pressure tube  56  into actuator manifold  52 , thereby completing a firing cycle. The firing and indexing cycle just describe may continue in rapid sequence so long as the trigger is maintained in a position allowing the flow of pressurized air through pressure tube  56  and the pressure tank continues to contains a minimal level of pressurized air sufficient to overcome the biasing force of springs  67  and  68 , i.e. the release valve is automatically actuated by actuator  50  and the indexing of magazine  18  continues so long as the trigger is pulled open and the pressure tank contains pressurized air above a level to overcome springs  67  and  68 . Should the pressure level within pressure tank  15  reach the minimal level the operator simply actuates the manual air pump  14  so as to once again elevate the pressure within the pressure tank. 
     As described, the gun may be used in a fully automatic manner such that with the trigger maintained in a pulled back, actuated position the gun fires a series of projectiles without stopping between each successive shot, similar to the action of a machine gun. However, should an operator wish to fire a single projectile, one need only to pull the trigger and quickly release it so that pressurized air does not continue to flow into the actuator  50 . Operated in such a manner the gun will index the magazine and fire a projectile with each actuation of the trigger, again, so long as the pressure tank contains air pressurized above the minimal level and the trigger is quickly released. 
     It should be noted that pawl  32  engages teeth  31  to prevent rotation of the magazine in a direction opposite to its indexing direction, i.e. to prevent counterclockwise rotation in FIG.  3 . This prevents the firing of pressurized air into a just emptied barrel and damage to the indexing finger. It should also be noted that since the pneumatic system is closed, once the gun is initially pressurized it is maintained under at least the minimal pressure level. Thus, the gun has the capability of firing projectiles in a rapid sequence of shots one after another. Yet, the gun may also fire a sequence of single shots without having to be pumped between each successive shot. 
     Referring next to FIGS. 6-9, a compressed air gun  70  in another preferred form is shown. Here, the air gun  70  has a housing  71  having a support plate  72  and an L-shaped support arm  73 , a magazine  75  rotationally mounted to the housing  71 , a remote manual hand air pump  76 , and a harness  77  secured to housing  71  and configured to be supported upon the head of a person. The gun  70  has a pressure chamber  79  adapted to receive and store a supply of air at elevated pressure levels and a pressure actuatable release valve  80  mounted within the pressure chamber  79 . A control valve  81  is mounted in fluid communication with release valve  80  and is coupled in fluid communication with pump  76  by a pressure tube  78  extending therebetween. Pressure chamber  79  is pneumatically coupled to a pneumatic indexer  82  which in turn is coupled to magazine  75  for rotational movement thereof. 
     The head harness  77  has a generally circular base strap  83  and a inverted U-shaped, adjustable top strap  84  secured to the base strap  83  by a buckle  85 . The head harness  77  also has a clear eye sight  86  configured to be positioned over the eye of a person. The top strap  84  and base strap  83  may be made of a soft, flexible plastic which can conform to the person&#39;s head. 
     The magazine  75  has a central pivot rod  87  fixedly mounted to a disk-shaped mounting plate  88  and an annular array of projectile barrels or launch tubes  89  extending from the mounting plate  88  in a generally concentric circle about pivot rod  87 . Pivot rod  87  is rotationally mounted at one end to support arm  73  and rotationally mounted at its opposite end to support plate  72 . Each barrel  89  has a launch tube  90  therein aligned with an opening  91  which extends through the mounting plate  88 . The interior diameter of barrel  89  is configured to releasably hold a projectile P with the launch tube  90  configured to be received within a recess R in the rear of the projectile. The magazine is shown in FIG. 9 as having only one barrel  89  for clarity of explanation. Mounting plate  88  has series of peripheral notches  93  each of which is aligned with a barrel  89 . The notches  93  are configured to cooperate with a pawl extending from the housing  71 . Mounting plate  88  also has an annular array of L-shaped grooves  95  oriented about pivot rod  87  which are equal in number to the number of magazine barrels  89 . 
     The pressure chamber  79  has a recess  97  having an air exit opening  98  therein defined by an inwardly extending annular flange  99 . A spring biased sealing plate  100  is mounted within recess  97 . The sealing plate  100  has a central bore  101  configured to overlay the mounting plate openings  91  of the magazine. It should be noted that the mounting plate openings  91  are positioned so that the sealing plate bore  101  overlaps only one opening  91  at a time. A gasket  103  is mounted to the sealing plate  100  to ensure sealing engagement with the mounting plate  88 . The release valve  80  has a cylindrical manifold  105  and a cylindrical plunger  106  slidably mounted within the manifold  105 . Plunger  106  has a gasket  107  to ensure sealing engagement of the plunger  106  about opening  98  with the plunger in a sealing position shown in FIG. 9, and a O-ring type seal  109  to ensure sealing engagement of the plunger  106  against manifold flange  99  with the plunger in a released position shown in phantom lines in FIG.  9 . 
     The control valve  81  has an elongated cylindrical manifold  112  having a top vent opening  113  to ambience, a side opening  114  in fluid communication with release valve manifold  105 , and a cylindrical plunger  115  slidably mounted within manifold  112 . Plunger  115  has a gasket  116  to ensure sealing engagement of the plunger about vent opening  113  with the plunger in a pressurized position shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. 
     The indexer  82  has a pressure cylinder  119  coupled in fluid communication with pressure chamber  79  by a pressure tube  120 . A piston  121 , having an elongated piston rod  122 , is mounted within the indexer pressure cylinder  119  for reciprocal movement therein between a low pressure position shown in FIG. 8 and a high pressure position shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. A coil spring  123  is mounted about piston rod  122  so as to bias the piston  121  towards its low pressure position. A spring biased indexing finger  125  is pivotably mounted to piston rod  125 . Indexing finger  125  is configured to sequentially engage and ride within each magazine groove  95  as the piston rod is moved upward and to disengage the groove as the piston rod is moved downward. All references herein to downward and upward directions is for purposes of clarity in reference to the drawings and is not meant to indicate gravity sensitivity. 
     The air pump  76  includes an elongated cylinder  128  and a plunger  129  telescopically mounted for reciprocal movement within the cylinder  128 . Plunger  129  has a tubular shaft  130  with an enlarged sealing end  131  and a handle  132  opposite the Ft sealing end  131 . Sealing end  131  has an O-ring type seal  133  with an opening  134  therethrough, and a conventional check valve  135  mounted within opening  134 . Check valve  135  is oriented to allow air to pass from the interior of cylinder  128  through opening  134  into the interior of shaft  130  and to prevent air from passing through opening  134  in the opposite direction. Handle  132  has a vent  136  therethrough which allows air to pass from ambience into the interior of shaft  130 . 
     Pump cylinder  128  has an open end  138  through which plunger  129  extends and a closed end  139 . The pump cylinder  128  also has a port  140  in fluid communication with pressure tube  78  and a vent  141  adjacent open end  138  which is open to ambience. Port  140  is spaced from closed end  139  so as to allow seal  133  of plunger  129  to be moved past the port  140  to a position closely adjacent to the closed end  139 , as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     In use, a person dons the gun by securing the head harness  77  to his head with the magazine  75  to one side. The person then actuates the pump  76  by grasping the pump handle  132  and forcing the pump plunger  129  through cylinder  128  towards port  140  thereby pressurizing air within the cylinder. Thus, the plunger  129  is moved from a first position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 7 to generally a second position shown in FIG.  7 . The pressurized air passes through port  140  into pressure tube  78  where it then passes through control valve  81 . The increase in air pressure within the control valve manifold  112  forces the control valve plunger  115  to move to an upper, pressurized position sealing vent opening  113 , as shown in FIG.  9 . The pressurized air then passes about plunger  115  and through side opening  114  into the release valve manifold  105 . The increase in air pressure within the release valve manifold  105  forces the control valve plunger  106  to move to a forward, pressurized position sealing opening  98 , as shown in FIG.  9 . The pressurized air then flows between the release valve plunger  106  and the release valve manifold  105  into pressure chamber  79 . 
     A portion of the pressurized air within pressure chamber  79  passes through pressure tube  120  into the indexer pressure cylinder  119 . With increased pressure within pressure cylinder  119  the indexer piston  121  is forced upwards against the biasing force of coil spring  123 , i.e. the indexer piston  121  is moved from its low pressure position shown in FIG. 8 to its high pressure position shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. As shown in FIG. 9, upward movement of the piston rod  122  causes the finger  125  to ride up within a mounting plate groove  95  to cause counter-clockwise rotation of the magazine  75  as indicated by arrows in FIGS. 7 and 8. 
     With continued movement of the pump plunger  129  within pump cylinder  128  the seal  133  passes pump cylinder port  140 , as shown in FIG.  8 . With the plunger seal  133  in this position pressurized air within pressure tube  78  is released back into pump cylinder  128  behind seal  133  and then to ambience through vent  141 . The reentry of pressurized air into the pump cylinder  128  from pressure tube  78  causes the control valve plunger  115  to move to a downward position unsealing vent opening  113 , as shown in FIG.  8 . Thus, the decrease in air pressure within the pressure tube  78  and control valve manifold  112  triggers the actuation of control valve  81  to its open configuration. The actuation of the control valve to its open, downward position causes a release of pressurized air from within release valve manifold  105  through the control valve side opening  113  and then through vent opening  113  to ambience. This decrease in pressure causes release valve plunger  106  to move to a rearward position unsealing opening  98 , as shown in phantom lines in FIG.  9 . The position of the plunger  106  also causes and the O-ring to abut manifold  105  to seal the path between the manifold  105  and plunger  106 . With the unsealing of opening  98  pressurized air within pressure chamber  79  rapidly flows through opening  98 , through sealing plate bore  101 , through magazine mounting plate opening  91 , and into launch tube  90  in register with the sealing plate  100  where it propels the projectile P from barrel  89 . Operation of this type of release valve is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,705. 
     Upon the release of pressurized air from pressure chamber  79  the pressurized air within indexer pressure cylinder  119  is conveyed through pressure tube  120  back into pressure chamber  79 . This release of pressurized air from indexer pressure cylinder  119  causes the indexer piston  121  to be spring biased by coil spring  123  back downward to its low pressure position. The downward movement of piston  121  pivotally retracts the indexing finger  125  from mounting plate groove  95  and positions the finger in register with the following mounting plate groove. 
     The pump plunger  129  may then be manually drawn back to its initial position to pressurize and fire the gun again. The drawing back of the pump plunger  129  does not create a vacuum within pump cylinder  128  since replenishment air may be drawn through vent  136  into the plunger handle  132 , through the interior of shaft  130 , and through check valve  135  into cylinder  128 . Air between the pump cylinder  128  and the plunger  129  behind seal  134  is expelled from cylinder  128  through vent  141 . 
     It should be noted that pawl  94  engages notches  93  to prevent rotation of the magazine  75  in a direction opposite to its indexing direction, i.e. to prevent clockwise rotation of the magazine with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. This prevents the firing of pressurized air into a previously emptied barrel and damage to the indexing finger  125 . 
     As an alternative, gun  70  may also be constructed without control valve  81 . The need for the control valve is dependent upon the length and interior diameter of pressure tube  78 , i.e. the volume of air contained within the pressure tube. For a pressure tube  78  having a small interior volume the release of air therefrom causes rapid actuation of release valve  80 . Conversely, with a pressure tube  78  containing a large volume of air therein the release of air therefrom may be inadequate to actuate the release valve properly. Thus, with pressure tubes having a large volume therein a control valve  81  is coupled to the release valve  80  to ensure rapid decompression within release valve manifold  105  to actuate the release valve. The gun may also be constructed without the inner launch tube  90  within the barrel  89 . Here, the pressurized air expelled from pressure chamber  79  is directed into barrel  89  behind the projectile. This design however is not preferred as it does not concentrate the burst of pressurized air for optimal efficiency and performance. Lastly, it should be understood that the magazine and indexer of FIGS. 6-9 may also be adapted to a hand held gun of conventional design. 
     It should be understood that the gun of FIGS. 6-9 may also be adapted to include the two concentric circle arrangement of the opening, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, to increase the dart capacity of the magazine. 
     With the air gun of this construction a child may aim the gun simply by facing the intended target and manually actuating the hand pump. Because of the elongated, flexible pressure tube  78  the pump may be manipulated substantially independently of and without effecting the air of the launch tube. Thus, the gun is of an unconventional design to interest children yet is capable of being easily aimed and fired. Also, the child may fire several shots sequentially without having to reload between each successive shot. 
     With reference next to FIGS. 10 and 11, a compressed air gun  159  in another preferred form is shown. Here, the air gun  159  is similar in basic construction to that shown in FIGS. 1-5, except for the internal components for the sequential firing of pressurized air bursts and pneumatic indexing of the magazine, and the magazine grooves  160  are angled rather than being L-shaped. For this reason, only the new, alternative components of the air gun are shown for clarity and conciseness of explanation. 
     The air gun  159  has a pneumatic firing actuator  161  coupled to the pressure tank through pressure tube  56 . Actuator  161  includes an elongated manifold  162  having an inlet opening  163  in fluid communication with pressure tube  56 , an outlet opening  164  in fluid communication with a small pressure tank or pressure cell  165 , and an open end or firing opening  166  in fluid communication with an elongated recess  167 . A piston  168  is mounted for reciprocal movement within actuator manifold  162 . Piston  168  has a forward seal  169 , a rearward seal  170  and a clear button  171  extending through the air gun housing. The actuator  161  also has a flexible gasket  172  mounted within recess  167  in sealable contact with magazine  18 , and a pressure cylinder  173  in fluid communication with pressure cell  165  by a conduit  174 . A piston  175 , having an elongated piston rod  176 , is mounted within the actuator pressure cylinder  173  for reciprocal movement therein between a low pressure, pressurizing position shown in FIG. 10 and a high pressure, firing position shown in FIG. 11. A coil spring  177  mounted about piston rod  176  biases the piston  175  towards its low pressure position. Piston rod  176  is coupled to piston  168  by an over center torsion spring  179 . An indexing finger  180 , mounted to an end of the piston rod  176 , is configured to sequentially engage and ride within each magazine groove  160  for sequential rotation of the magazine. 
     In use, an operator actuates the pump to pressurize a supply of air by grasping the handle  22  and reciprocating the cylinder rod  21  back and forth within the cylinder  20 . With piston  168  in its rearward pressurized air is passed through pressure tube  16  into the pressure tank  15 . Manual actuation of the trigger  13  moves the trigger to a position wherein it unpinches pressure tube  56  so as to allow pressurized air within the pressure tank  15  to pass through pressure tube  56  into actuator manifold  162  through inlet opening  163  and between the forward and rearward seals  169  and  170  of piston  168 . The pressurized air then passes out of manifold  162  through outlet opening  164  and into pressure cell  165 , conduit  174 , and pressure cylinder  173 . The pressurized air within the pressure cylinder  173  causes piston  175  to move toward its high pressure position against the biasing force of coil spring  177 , i.e. the piston  175  is moved from its low pressure position shown in FIG. 10 to its high pressure position shown in FIG.  11 . 
     As shown in FIG. 11, forward movement of the piston  175  causes compression and rotation of torsion spring  179  and the indexing finger  180  to move forward into a magazine groove  160 , thereby causing rotation of the magazine  18  and alignment of the opening to change to the inner circle of openings  28 ″. All references herein to forward and rearward is for purposes of clarity in reference to the drawings. Upon reaching the apex of the movement of piston rod  176  the torsion spring  179  reaches a rotated position which causes decompression of the spring thereby forcing piston  168  rearward, as shown in FIG.  11 . Rearward movement of piston  168  causes the forward seal  169  to be moved to a positioned between inlet opening  163  and the outlet opening  164 . This positioning of the piston  168  isolates manifold inlet opening  163  to prevent escape of pressurized air from pressure tank  15 , i.e. the seals sandwich the inlet opening to prevent the flow of air from the pressure tank. This positioning of the forward seal  169  also allows pressurized air within the pressure cell  165 , conduit  174  and pressure cylinder  173  to flow through outlet opening  164  into the manifold and from the manifold through firing opening  166 , through sealed recess  167  and into the launch tube  27  through magazine opening  28 ′. Pressurized air within launch tube  27  propels the projectile out of the magazine barrel  26  and through gun barrel  12 . 
     The release of pressurized air from pressure cylinder  173  causes the piston  175  to be spring biased by coil spring  177  back rearward to its low pressure position. The rearward movement of piston  175  retracts the indexing finger  180  from within a mounting plate groove  160  and positions the finger in register with the following mounting plate groove  160 . The low pressure positioning of piston  175  causes the torsion spring  179  to bias piston  168  forwards to its initial position with the forward and rearward seals  169  and  170  sandwiching or straddling inlet and outlet openings  163  and  164 , as shown in FIG.  10 . This repositioning of piston  168  once again causes pressurized air within pressure tank  15  to flow through pressure tube  56  into actuator manifold  162 , thereby completing a firing-cycle. The firing and indexing cycle just describe may continue in rapid sequence so long as the trigger is maintained in a position allowing the flow of pressurized air through pressure tube  56  and the pressure tank continues to contains a minimal level of pressurized air sufficient to overcome the biasing force of springs  177  and  179 , i.e. the release valve is automatically actuated by actuator  161  and the indexing of magazine  18  continues so long as the trigger is pulled open and the pressure tank contains pressurized air above a level to overcome springs  177  and  179 . Should the pressure level within pressure tank  15  reach the minimal level the operator simply actuates the manual air pump  14  so as to once again elevate the pressure within the pressure tank. 
     As described, the gun may be used in a fully automatic manner such that with the trigger maintained in a pulled back, actuated position the gun fires a series of projectiles without stopping between each successive shot, similar to the action of a machine gun. However, should an operator wish to fire a single projectile, one need only to pull the trigger and quickly release it so that pressurized air does not continue to flow into the actuator  161 . Operated in such a manner the gun will index the magazine and fire a projectile with each actuation of the trigger, again, so long as the pressure tank contains air pressurized above the minimal level and the trigger is quickly released. 
     It should be understood that at times rubber seals often stick when stored for a period of time. This sticking may hamper the performance of the actuator. For this reason, the actuator is provided with clear button  171  which may be manually actuated to cause reciprocal movement of the piston in order to unstick the seals. 
     With reference next to FIGS. 12-15, there is shown a compressed air gun in another preferred embodiment, with like numbers referring to previously described components. Here, the air gun has a combination control valve and indexer  200  which controls the flow of compressed air from the pressure tank  15  to the magazine launch tubes  201  and indexes the magazine  202  with each firing, hereinafter referred collectively as control valve  200 . 
     The control valve  200  has an elongated, cylindrical, external tube or manifold  204 , a cylindrical, internal tube  205  mounted within the external tube  204 , and a plunger  206  mounted within the internal tube. The external tube  204  has an elongated slot  208 , an air inlet  209  in fluid communication with pressure tube  56 , and an air outlet  210  in fluid communication with magazine launch tubes  201 . The internal tube  205  is configured to move reciprocally within the external tube between a forward position shown in FIG. 13 and a rearward position shown in FIGS. 14-16. The internal tube  205  and external tube  204  define a first air pressure chamber  212  therebetween, while the internal tube  205  and plunger  206  define a second air pressure chamber  213  therebetween. The internal tube  205  has an air release valve  215 , an O-ring seal  216  for sealing engagement of the internal tube with the external tube, and an L-shaped member  218  extending through slot  208 . L-shaped member  218  has an end flange  219 . 
     Plunger  206  is mounted within the internal tube  205  for reciprocal movement between a first sealing position abutably sealing air outlet  210  as shown in FIG. 13, a second sealing position extending from the internal tube yet still sealing air outlet  210  as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, and an unsealing position distal from and unsealing air outlet  210  as shown in FIG.  16 . The air release valve  215  has an opening  221 , a plunger  222  mounted within opening  221 , an elongated rod  223 , and a coil spring  224  mounted about elongated rod  223 . The air gun also has a spring biased trigger  227  configured to releasably engage the internal tube L-shaped member  218 . 
     A coil spring  229  is mounted within internal tube  205  so as to abut plunger  206  and bias the plunger in a direction towards the air outlet  210 . Another coil spring  230  is mounted between the external tube  204  and the internal tube  205  so as to bias the internal tube in a direction towards the air outlet  210 . 
     The magazine  202  has an annular array of Z-shaped grooves  232  sized and shaped to receive the end flange  219  of the L-shaped member  218 . Each groove  232  has a forward camming surface  233  extending to a forward portion  234  and a rearward camming surface  235  extending to a rearward portion  236 . 
     In use and with the trigger  227  spring biased to its position engaging the internal tube L-shaped member  218 , the internal tube  205  is initial spring biased to its forward position by compressing spring  230 , as shown in FIG.  13 . This position of the internal tube forces spring  229  to bias plunger  206  to its sealing position. With the internal tube  205  in its forward position, the L-shaped member flange  219  resides within the Z-shaped groove forward portion  234 , as shown in FIG.  21 . It should be understood that the magazine of FIGS. 21 and 22 is illustrated with only one launch tube for clarity of explanation. 
     As compressed air flows from the pressure tube  56 , extending from the pressure tank  15 , and into the control valve  200  through air inlet  209 , the pressure within the first air pressure chamber  212  increases. Compressed air also passes from the first air pressure chamber, between the plunger  206  and the internal tube, into the second air pressure chamber  213 . The air pressure within the first and second air pressure chambers aid in maintaining the plunger  206  in its sealing position, as the pressure upon the backside of the plunger is greater than ambient air pressure upon the front side of the plunger. 
     As shown in FIG. 14, with movement of the trigger  227  to its release position disengaged from the L-shaped member, the compressed air within the first air pressure chamber  212  causes the internal tube  205  to move to its rearward position. This movement of the internal tube compresses spring  230 . As the internal tube moves rearward the L-shaped member flange  219 ′ contacts the rearward camming surface  235 , as shown in phantom lines in FIG.  22 . With continued rearward movement of the internal tube, flange  219 ″ continues into the rearward portion  236  of the Z-shaped groove, as shown in FIG.  22 . The force of the flange upon the rearward camming surface causes the magazine to rotate clockwise approximately half the distance of a complete indexing cycle. 
     As the internal tube approaches the end of its rearward stroke the release valve spring  224  compresses to a point wherein the force of the spring overcomes the force of the air pressure within the second air pressure chamber  213 . This spring force causes the valve plunger  206  to move forward thereby unseating and allowing the compressed air within the second air pressure chamber  213  to escape rapidly therefrom through opening  221 , as shown in FIG.  15 . This rapid decompression of the second air pressure chamber  213  causes plunger  206  to snap back to its unsealing position, as shown in FIG.  16 . With the plunger in its unsealing position, the compressed air within the first pressure chamber  212  quickly passes through the air outlet  210  and into the launch tube  201 . 
     The release of the compressed air within the first air pressure chamber  212  causes the internal tube to move forward, through the spring biasing force of coil spring  230 . The forward movement of the internal tube causes the L-shaped member flange  219 ′″ to contact the forward camming surface  233 , as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 22, and thus force the remaining indexing rotation of the magazine as the flange  219  once again resides within the forward portion  234 , as shown initially in FIG.  21 . 
     It should be understood that so long as the trigger is actuated to its disengaged position and so long as there is sufficient air pressure flowing from the pressure tube, the control valve will continue to fire projectiles, as the internal tube and plunger will continue to reciprocate as long as a sufficient amount of compressed air is present to overcome the forces of the springs. Alternatively, the trigger may be pulled and immediately released so that it reengages the L-shaped member after firing a single projectile. 
     With reference next to FIGS. 17-20, there is shown the internal components and a portion of the magazine of a compressed air gun in another preferred embodiment, similar to that previously described in reference to FIGS. 12-16. Here again, the air gun has a combination control valve and indexer  300  which controls the flow of air from the pressure tank  15  to the magazine launch tubes  201  and indexes the magazine  202  with each firing, hereinafter referred collectively as control valve. The control valve  300  has an elongated, cylindrical, external tube or manifold  304 , an internal tube  305  mounted within the external tube  304 , and a plunger  306  mounted within the internal tube. The external tube  304  has an elongated slot  308 , an air inlet  309  in fluid communication with pressure tube  56 , and an air outlet  310  in fluid communication with magazine launch tubes  201 . The internal tube  305  is configured to move reciprocally within the external tube between a forward position, shown in FIG. 17 and a rearward position, shown in FIGS. 18-20. The internal tube  305  and external tube  304  define an air pressure chamber  312  therebetween. The internal tube  305  has an O-ring seal  316  for sealing engagement of the internal tube with the external tube, and an L-shaped member  318  extending through slot  308 . L-shaped member  318  has an end flange  219 . A coil spring  329  is mounted about the plunger  306  for biased movement of the plunger in a rearward direction. 
     Plunger  306  is mounted within the internal tube for reciprocal movement between a first sealing position abutably sealing air outlet  310  as shown in FIG. 17, a second sealing position extending from the internal tube yet still sealing air outlet as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, and an unsealing position distal from and unsealing air outlet as shown in FIG.  20 . The air gun also has a spring biased trigger  327  configured to releasably engage the internal tube L-shaped member  318 . 
     A coil spring  330  is mounted about plunger  306  between the forward end of the internal tube and a sealing head  331  of the plunger. Coil spring  330  biases the plunger in a direction towards the air outlet. Another coil spring  328  is mounted between the external tube  304  and the internal tube so as to bias the internal tube in a direction towards the air outlet. 
     The magazine  202  has an annular array of Z-shaped grooves  232  sized and shaped to receive the end flange  219  of the L-shaped member  318 . Each groove  232  has a forward camming surface  233  extending to a forward portion  234  and a rearward camming surface  235  extending to a rearward portion  236 . 
     In use and with the trigger  327  is spring biased to its position engaging the internal tube L-shaped member, the internal tube  305  is initial spring biased to its forward position compressing spring  330 . This position of the internal tube forces spring  330  to bias plunger  306  to its sealing position. With the internal tube  305  in its forward position, the L-shaped member flange  219  resides within the Z-shaped groove forward portion  234 , as shown in FIG.  21 . 
     As compressed air flows from pressure tube  56  and into the control valve  300  through air inlet  309 , the pressure within air pressure chamber  312  increases. This air pressure aids in maintaining the plunger in its sealing position, as the pressure upon the backside of the plunger is greater than ambient air pressure upon the front side of the plunger. 
     As shown in FIG. 18, with movement of the trigger to its release position disengaging the L-shaped member, the compressed air within the air pressure chamber  312  causes the internal tube  305  to move to its rearward position. This movement of the internal tube compresses springs  328  and  329 . As the internal tube moves rearward the L-shaped member flange  219 ′ contacts the rearward camming surface  235  so as to cause the magazine to rotate clockwise approximately half the distance of a complete indexing cycle, as shown in phantom lines in FIG.  22 . The flange  219 ″ continues into the rearward portion  236  of the Z-shaped groove. 
     As the internal tube moves to the end of its rearward stroke the plunger spring  329  compresses to a point wherein the force of spring  329  overcomes the force of the compressed air within the air pressure chamber  312  and upon the plunger sealing head  331 . This spring force causes the plunger  306  to move rearwardly to its unsealing position, thereby allowing the compressed air within the air pressure chamber to escape through the air outlet  310 , as shown in FIG.  19 . The release of the air pressure force upon the plunger allows spring  329  to force plunger  306  quickly rearward to maximize the rapid decompression of the air pressure chamber  312 , as shown in FIG.  19 . 
     The release of the compressed air within the air pressure chamber  312  causes the internal tube to move forward, through the spring biasing force of coil spring  328 . The forward movement of the internal tube causes the L-shaped member flange  219 ′″ to contact the forward camming surface  233 , as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 22, and thus force the remaining indexing rotation of the magazine as the flange once again resides within the forward portion  234 , as shown initially in FIG.  21 . Again, the internal tube and plunger may continue to reciprocate as long as the trigger is disengaged and there is sufficient air pressure. 
     It should be understood that the second air pressure chamber  213  of FIGS. 13-16 performs the same function as spring  329  in FIGS. 17-20, as they both function to snap the plunger rearward upon initial firing. 
     The gun shown in FIGS. 17-20 may also be adapted to include an internal flange  340 , shown in phantom lines, extending from the external tube  305 . Flange  340  has a opening  341  therethrough through which plunger  306  extends. Spring  330  abuts flange  340  so that the spring is slightly compressed to force plunger  306  towards its sealing position. As the internal tube  305  moves rearward the spring  330  is compressed further. As air is released from the first air chamber  312 , as previously described, spring  330  decompresses so as to force plunger  306  to is sealing position. 
     It should also be understood that compressed air may be directed into the control valve without the use of a pressure tank  15 , as shown in reference to FIGS. 6-9. As such, the control valve may be coupled directly to a pump. Also, the triggering of the control valve, and thus the toy gun, may be accomplished through a valve or regulator mounted between the pressurized air source and the control valve, as shown in the previous embodiments. 
     With reference next to FIGS. 23-26, there is shown the internal components of a fluid pulsator  400  in another preferred embodiment, similar to the control valve previously described in reference to FIGS. 12-16 and  17 - 20 . The fluid pulsator may be used to control the release of compressed air, as previously described, in compressed air guns or to control the release of pressurized water in discrete bursts in water guns. When used in conjunction with an air gun the pulsator acts as a combination control valve and indexer which controls the flow of air from the pressure tank  15  to the magazine launch tubes  201  and which indexes the magazine  202  with each firing. 
     The pulsator  400  has an elongated, cylindrical, housing or manifold  404 , an internal tube or plunger  405  mounted within the housing  404 , and a sealing member  406  mounted about the internal tube. The housing  404  has a rear opening  408  through which extends the internal tube, a fluid inlet  409  in fluid communication with pressure tube  56 , and a fluid outlet  410 , in fluid communication with magazine launch tubes  201  of an air gun or ambience with a water gun. The internal tube  405  has a fluid inlet  420 , a fluid outlet  421  and a post  422  about which is mounted the sealing member  406 . The internal tube  405  is configured to move reciprocally within the housing between a forward position, shown in FIG. 23, and a rearward position, shown in FIGS. 24-26. The internal tube  405  and housing  404  define a rearward fluid pressure chamber  412  and a forward fluid pressure chamber  413  therebetween. The internal tube  405  has a sealing edge  416  for sealing engagement of the internal tube with the housing, and an L-shaped linkage member  418 . In an air gun the L-shaped member  418  has a previously described end flange  219 , while in a water gun the L-shaped member  418  extends to a sleeve  419  coupled to the end of the barrel for reciprocal movement relative to the barrel. The sealing member  406  has an opening  424  therethrough and a resilient sealing head  431  having a first portion  432  having a size and shape larger than fluid outlet  410  and a second portion  433  sized and shaped to be received within the fluid outlet  410 . A coil spring  429  is mounted within the sealing member  406  and about the post  422  for biased movement of the sealing member in a rearward direction as the spring is compressed, as shown in FIG.  26 . 
     Sealing member  406  is mounted about the internal tube post  422  for reciprocal movement between a first sealing position sealing fluid outlet  410  as shown in FIG. 23, a second sealing position extending from the internal tube yet still sealing fluid outlet as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, and an unsealing position distal from and unsealing fluid outlet as shown in FIG.  26 . The air or water gun also has a spring biased trigger  427  configured to engage and disengage the internal tube L-shaped member  418 . 
     In an air gun configuration, the previously described magazine  202  has an annular array of Z-shaped grooves  232  sized and shaped to receive the end flange  219  of the L-shaped member  418 . Each groove  232  has a forward camming surface  233  extending to a forward portion  234  and a rearward camming surface  235  extending to a rearward portion  236 . 
     In use and with the trigger  427  spring biased to its position engaging the internal tube L-shaped member, the internal tube  405  is maintained in its forward position while fluid enters the pulsator. With the internal tube  405  in its forward position, the L-shaped member flange  219  resides within the Z-shaped groove forward portion  234 , as shown in FIG.  21 . 
     As pressurized fluid flows from pressure tube  56  and into the pulsator  400  through fluid inlet  409 , the pressure within the rearward fluid pressure chamber  412  increases. The pressurized fluid passes through internal tube fluid inlet  420 , through internal tube fluid outlet  421  between the internal tube  405  and sealing member  406 , through sealing member opening  424  and slowly into the forward fluid pressure chamber  413 , i.e. the fluid slowly passes from inside the internal tube and between the internal tube and sealing member to the forward fluid pressure chamber  413 , See FIG.  23 . As shown in FIG. 24, with movement of the trigger  427  to its release position disengaging the L-shaped member, the pressurized fluid within the forward fluid pressure chamber  413  and within the internal tube  405  overcomes the fluid pressure within the rearward fluid pressure chamber which causes the internal tube to move towards its rearward position. As the internal tube moves rearward its fluid outlet  421  is positioned past the end of the sealing member, thus causing the unrestricted flow of fluid therethrough and into the forward fluid pressure chamber  413 , rather than the slow flow previously associated with the fluid outlet  421 . As shown previously in FIG. 22, this movement also causes the L-shaped member flange  219 ′ of an air gun to contact the rearward camming surface  235  so as to cause the magazine to rotate clockwise approximately half the distance of a complete indexing cycle, as shown in phantom lines in FIG.  22 . The flange  219 ″ continues into the rearward portion  236  of the Z-shaped groove. 
     As the internal tube moves to the end of its rearward stroke the spring  429  compresses to a point wherein the force of spring overcomes the force of the pressurized fluid within the forward fluid pressure chamber  413  and upon the sealing member head  431 . This spring force causes the sealing member  406  to move rearwardly to its unsealing position, thereby allowing the pressurized fluid within the forward pressure chamber  413  to escape through the fluid outlet  410 , as shown in FIG.  26 . The release of the fluid pressure force upon the sealing member allows spring  429  to force sealing member  406  quickly rearward to maximize the rapid decompression of the rearward fluid pressure chamber  412 . The release of the pressurized fluid within the forward pressure chamber  413  causes the internal tube to move forward, through the biasing force of the fluid entering the rearward pressure chamber  412 . 
     In an air gun, the forward movement of the internal tube causes the L-shaped member flange  219 ′″ to contact the forward camming surface  233 , as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 22, and thus force the remaining indexing rotation of the magazine as the flange once again resides within the forward portion  234 , as shown initially in FIG.  21 . Again, the internal tube and sealing member may continue to reciprocate as long as the trigger is disengaged and there is sufficient fluid pressure. In a water gun, the movement of the L-shaped member also reciprocates sleeve  419 , as shown in FIG.  29 . This reciprocating movement of the sleeve resembles the recoil action of a machine gun. 
     Referring next to FIGS. 27-28, there is shown the internal components of a fluid pulsator  500  in another preferred embodiment, although similar to that previously described in reference to FIGS. 23-26. Here however, the fluid is introduced through the internal tube  505  and it is the housing  504  that moves relative to the stationary internal tube  505 , although this embodiment may be easily adapted so that the internal tube moves while the housing remains stationary. Nevertheless, the components thereof act and function similarly to those previously described. It should also be noted that a pressure release opening  503 , or series of openings, extends through the sealing member to release fluid pressure within the sealing member as the post  422  moves therein. 
     A distinct advantage of the present invention is the configuration of the sealing head  431 . Prior art sealing heads did not include the second portion. As such, as the sealing head would move slightly away from the fluid outlet  410  the fluid would rush between the small space between the sealing head and the housing defining the fluid outlet and into the larger space of the fluid outlet. This rushing of fluid into a larger space creates a low pressure cell in the area of the outlet which tends to pull the sealing head back into sealing engagement with the housing. Thus, the sealing head would flutter which would hamper the quick and precise release of the seal. In the present invention, the second portion  433  remains within the fluid outlet  410  as the sealing head moves rearward and separates from the housing. Thus, an additional fluid pressure is exerted upon the forward facing surface of the sealing head first portion  432  which causes the sealing member to move rearward with greater force prior to the final separation of the sealing member second portion  433  and housing. Also, the tapering of the fluid outlet causes a greater flow of fluid between the sealing head and housing with relative movement of the sealing head. 
     It should be understood that in the embodiments of FIGS. 23-26 and  27 - 28  the pressurized fluid may be directed into the pulsator without the use of a pressure tank  15 , as shown in reference to FIGS. 6-9. As such, the pulsator may be coupled directly to a pump. It should also be understood that internal tube fluid outlet  421 , with or without adjacent opening  424 , varies the flow of fluid passing therethrough in relation to the relative positions of the internal tube and sealing member, and as such may be referred to as variable flow valve means. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment of a variable flow valve and may include many other types of mechanical valves, for example that of the tapered needle type valve shown in FIG. 30, or methods of creating a flow path between the forward and rearward fluid pressure chambers, such as an imperfect seal between the housing and internal tube or a passage through the internal tube. It should be understood that as an alternative to the mechanical trigger shown herein the trigger T may also be in the form of a fluid control valve or regulator, previously described or shown in phantom lines in FIG. 27, which controls the flow of fluids passing through the fluid inlet  409  or internal tube  505 . 
     Referring next to FIGS. 31-33, there is shown the internal components of a fluid pulsator  600  in another preferred embodiment, although similar to that previously described in reference to FIGS. 27-28. These figures correspond to the actuation described in detail in FIGS. 23-26. Here again, and housing  604  has an internal tube opening  607  and a fluid outlet  608 , and the fluid is introduced through the internal tube or plunger  605 . The housing  604  moves relative to the stationary internal tube  605 , although this embodiment may be easily adapted so that the internal tube moves while the housing remains stationary. The internal tube  605  has a sealing head with a conventional seal adjacent thereto which divides the interior of the housing into a forward pressure chamber  631  and a rearward pressure chamber  632 . The pulsator is shown with a magazine indexing arm  609  similar to that previously shown, which is present only when the pulsator is used in conjunction with an compressed air gun having a magazine and is not used in connection with water guns. 
     In addition to the previously recited components, this embodiment includes an internal tube biasing spring  611  for biasing the internal tube  605  to its forward position and means for adjustably actuating the movement of the movable sealing member  606  in direct relationship to the distance traveled or position of the internal tube  605  relative to the housing. To accomplish this adjustable actuation the internal surface of sealing member  606  is provided with internal threads  612  configured to correspond with the external threads  613  of an annular spring stop  614  having an opening  615  therethrough through which post  622  movably extends. The external surface of the sealing member  606  is also provided with a outwardly extending flange  617  configured to abut laterally with an inwardly extending flange  618  extending from the internal surface of the housing  604  to prevent rotation of the sealing member  606  relative to the housing. With this construction the manual rotation of the housing  604  causes the spring stop  614  to threadably move along the longitudinal axis of the sealing member  606  thereby varying the distance between the spring stop  614  and the end stop  615  of the post  622 . FIG. 31 shows the spring stop  614 , depicted in phantom lines in an alternative position along the internal tube. 
     It should be understood that with the spring stop  614  positioned distally from the post end stop  616  the internal tube must move a relatively large distance relative to the housing before the spring  629  fully compresses, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, and the sealing member is moved from its sealing position towards its unsealing position, i.e. the sealing member is actuated, as shown in FIG.  33 . Conversely, should the spring stop  614  be positioned proximal to the post end stop  616  the internal tube  605  need only move a relatively short distance before the spring  611  is compressed and the sealing member  606  is actuated. A short distance of travel of the internal tube allows the pulsator to be actuated quicker than with a long distance of travel. Thus, one may adjust the pulse rate or cycling rate of the pulsator, and thus the fluid therefrom, by adjusting the position of the spring stop through rotation of the housing. 
     Again, it should be understood that in the embodiments of FIGS. 31-33 the pressurized fluid may be directed into the pulsator without the use of a pressure tank  15 , as shown in reference to FIGS. 6-9. As such, the pulsator may be coupled directly to a pump. It should also be understood that internal tube fluid outlet  621  varies the flow of fluid passing therethrough in relation to the relative positions of the internal tube and sealing member, and as such may be referred to as variable flow valve means. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment of a variable flow valve and may include many other types of mechanical valves, for example that of the tapered needle type valve shown in FIG. 30, or methods of creating a flow path between the forward pressure chamber  631  and rearward pressure chamber  632 , such as an imperfect seal between the housing and internal tube or a passage through the internal tube. It should be understood that this embodiment may work with either a mechanical trigger adapted to engage the housing or a fluid controlling trigger which controls the flow of fluid into the pulsator. 
     Lastly, it should be understood that as an alternative to the internal tube biasing spring  611  shown in the drawings the internal tube may include a fluid exit  630  in fluid communication with the rearward fluid pressure chamber. This modification replaces the biasing force provided by the internal tube biasing spring  611  with a biasing force provided by pressurized fluid within the rearward fluid pressure chamber, as previously described in reference to FIGS. 23-26. 
     With reference next to FIG. 34, there is schematically shown a compressed air gun  700  in yet another preferred embodiment. Here the compressed air gun  700  has a pressure chamber  701  with a release valve  702  therein in fluid communication with a launch tube  703 . The pressure chamber  701  is in fluid communication with an air pump  704  through a conduit  705 . The air pump  704  is coupled to an electric motor  707  which is electrically coupled to a battery  708  through a conductor  709 . An off/on switch  710  is also coupled to the conductor in series to the electric motor  707 . A pressure releasing trigger  712  and a pressure sensitive actuation switch  713  are also coupled to the conduit  705 . The pressure sensitive actuation switch  713  is also in fluid communication with conduit  705  so as to sense the pressure therein, which also reflects the pressure within the pressure chamber  701 . 
     As best illustrated in FIG. 37, the pressure sensitive actuation switch  713  has a cylindrical housing  716 , a cap  717  threadably mounted to the housing  716 , a plunger  718  movably mounted within the housing  716  and a spring  719  mounted between the plunger  718  and the cap  717 . The plunger  718  has a head portion  720  with an annular conductive bridge  721  and a stem portion  722  depending from the head portion  720 . The stem portion  722  has an annular groove  723  having an O-ring  724  mounted therein which forms a seal between the stem portion  722  and the housing  716 . Conductor  709  is coupled to two conductive ends  726  which are mounted to opposite sides of the housing  716  adjacent and contactable with conductive bridge  721 . 
     An operator may set the pressure level at which the actuation switch  713  is activated and de-activated. The safety switch spring  719  biases plunger  718  in a direction to cause the conductive bridge  721  to contact the ends  726  of the conductor  709  so as to close the conductive path therebetween and complete the circuit. As the actuation switch is also coupled to conduit  705  the air pressure therein acts upon the plunger stem portion  722  in a direction opposite to that of the biasing force of spring  719 . Thus, it should be understood that the threaded movement of the cap  717  upon housing  716  directly corresponds to the air pressure necessary to overcome the biasing force of the spring, i.e. the further the cap is threaded on the housing the further compressed the spring  719  becomes and thus the greater the air pressure must be to overcome the spring biasing force to move the plunger conductive bridge  721  out of contact with the conductor ends  726 . The threaded position of actuation switch cap  717  thus limits the pressure of the air within the gun and thus the pressure of the burst of air emitted. 
     In use, the operator initially actuates the on/off switch  710  to its on position. As the pressure within the pressure chamber  701  and conduit  705  is initially at atmospheric pressure the actuation switch conductive bridge  721  is in electrical contact with conductor ends  726  thus closing the circuit with electric motor  707 . The activation of the electric motor  707  drives air pump  704  so as to convey pressurized air through conduit  705  and into pressure chamber  701 . The increase in air pressure within the pressure chamber actuates the release valve as previously described. As the air pressure within the conduit  705  and pressure chamber increases the actuation switch plunger  718  to move against the biasing force of the spring  719  until the conductive bridge  721  is separated from the conductor ends  726 , thereby opening the circuit and de-energizing the electric motor  707 . 
     To fire a projectile from the air gun the operator actuates trigger  712  thereby releasing the pressurized air within the conduit  705 , which thereby actuates the release valve  702 , as previously described. This release of air pressure causes the pressure sensitive release valve plunger  718  to move with the biasing force of the spring  719 , thereby returning the conductive bridge  721  into contact with the conductor ends  726  and once again establishing a closed circuit with the electric motor  707 . The closing of the circuit re-energizes the electric motor  707  so as to actuate the air pump to automatically repressurizes the pressure chamber  701 . 
     It thus should be understood that the just described air gun automatically repressurizes the pressure chamber with each firing of the gun. As such, an operator does not have to actuate a manual air pump or remember to actuate a pump with each firing of the gun. 
     With reference next to FIG. 35, there is shown an air gun  800  in another embodiment similar to that shown in FIG.  34 . Here however a pressure tank  801  has been added in order to provide a large supply of pressurized air. Additionally, this gun  800  has been provided with a magazine  802  and indexer/pulsator  803  as previously described herein. In operation, the pressure sensitive actuation switch  804  energizes the motorized air pump  80 G when the air pressure within the pressure tank  801  or conduit falls within a minimal range of air pressures. 
     It should be understood that the gun may also be utilized to fire a pulse of water, and thus the gun may be referred to as a fluid gun. In order to do so the pressure tank  801  is filled with water which is then pressurized through the passage of compressed air from the air pump into the pressure tank. 
     With reference next to FIG. 36, there is shown an air gun  900  in another preferred embodiment. Here, the gun  900  is essentially the same as that previously described with reference to FIG. 34 except for the form of the pressure sensitive actuation switch  901 . Here the actuation switch  901  is in the form of a pressure transducer  902  coupled to the conduit between the air pump and the pressure chamber. The pressure transducer  902  is electrically coupled to a conventional control circuit  903  which control the activation of the electric motor upon the sensing of a select pressure range. 
     It should be understood that other types of pressure sensitive or pressure monitoring devices may be utilized to sense the pressure within the system and actuate the electric motor accordingly. Also, it should be understood that energizing the electric motor within a select range of pressure is the equivalence of de-energizing the electric motor within a range of pressures outside a select range of pressures. It should also be understood that other types of conventional mechanical release valves and triggers may be utilized as a substitute for those described herein. 
     While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that many modifications, additions and deletions, in addition to those expressly recited, may be made thereto without departure from the spirit and scope of invention as set forth in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5