Abstract:
The inventive firing device ( 1 ) comprises a cartridge reception unit ( 11 ) in which each of several cartridges ( 3   a  to  3   d ) is provided with one propellant ( 132 ) and is interchangeably disposed in one reception chamber ( 9 ), and a cover part ( 7 ) closing the rear section of the device by means of which cartridges can be replaced. A fluid and/or powdered substance ( 14 ) that can be propelled by means of the triggered propellant ( 132 ) is stored in each cartridge. Triggering units for the cartridges ( 3   a - 3   d ) which can be activated sequentially by a trigger element ( 21 ) are disposed in the cover part ( 7 ). In order not to harm the user when replacing cartridges, the cartridge reception unit ( 11 ) and the top part of each cartridge are aligned with each other so as to seal the cartridge area ( 9 ) at least following the firing of the cartridge, thereby leaving no substantial quantity of the substance ( 14 ) in the firing device ( 1 ) outside the cartridges ( 3   a - 3   d ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a handheld firing device having two or more cartridges as claimed in the precharacterizing clause of patent claim  1 .  
       PRIOR ART  
       [0002]     U.S. Pat. No. 1,741,902 describes a handheld firing device designed according to the features of the precharacterizing clause. The device was designed to be symmetrical with respect to two mutually perpendicular planes, and had two cartridges. The two cartridges were replaceable and were arranged lying on a plane. Each cartridge contained a non-metallic projectile composed of a relatively soft material for firing. Both cartridges were located in a block, which was likewise replaceable, of a barrel unit. For loading, a rear-face covering plate was folded away from a barrel module. Once the two firing bolt units had been removed from the barrel unit, two “live” cartridges could be inserted into the block. The loaded block was then inserted into the barrel module. In consequence, initiation catches on an initiation unit projected into a free area which later held in each case one spring-loaded firing bolt unit. Each firing bolt was seated on a plate. During insertion of the firing bolt unit, each initiation catch latched in in front of the plate associated with it. All of the firing bolt springs were stressed as the firing bolt was pushed in further. The insertion of the firing bolt units thus automatically resulted in “tightening of the trigger”. Each initiation catch was secured by a slide, which could be moved on the cartridge longitudinal axis on the outer casing of the loading unit and which engaged under the initiation catch. The initiation catch could not be released until this slide had been moved against a spring force.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The object of the invention is to provide a firing device which can be operated easily, functions safely and reliably, can be held particularly easily and, if it is used as a handheld firing device, incapacitates an attacker without having to kill or permanently injure him. The handheld firing device with an appropriate active substance is preferably used by the police, by penal institutions, or by private security companies. If a different active substance is used, other operational capabilities are possible, for example firefighting.  
       ACHIEVEMENT OF THE OBJECT  
       [0004]     The object is achieved in that, in contrast to U.S. Pat. No. 1,741,902, in the case of a firing device having a cartridge holding unit in which two or more cartridges each having a propellant charge are arranged replaceably in in each case one holding area, and in which the rear part of the device has a closing cover part which allows cartridge replacement, a fluidic and/or powdery active substance is used as the means to be ejected, rather than a solid projectile. Furthermore and in contrast to U.S. Pat. No. 1,741,902, in the case of one sturdy space-saving refinement, only sequential initiation can take place. The person operating the device need not, in contrast to U.S. Pat. No. 1,741,902, take note of which cartridge he has just fired since U.S. Pat. No. 1,741,902 allows two or more cartridges, or all of the cartridges, to be “fired” at the same time. In the heat of battle, it is thus possible for all of the cartridges to have been fired at once and for there to be no means for subsequent firing, if the first firing did not hit.  
         [0005]     Since the active substance which is incorporated in the cartridges can always have an adverse affect on the user if the firing device is a self-defense apparatus, a design refinement is chosen which produces a seal, at least during firing of a cartridge, in order that no active substance remains outside the cartridges in the firing device. Essentially, this means that, if a liquid “defense” active substance is used, this active substance is not forced away from the cartridge outlet opening to the rear between the cartridge outer wall and the area wall of the recess in the cartridge holding unit by the back-pressure during the firing process, thus contaminating the cartridge casing. This would result in a rearward flow of liquid material from the nozzle or the cartridge opening along the cartridge casing to the rear in the direction of the propellant charge. An analogous situation occurs for powdery “defense” active substances, but to a lesser extent. Any such active substance residue remaining on the cartridge casing would undoubtedly have an affect on the person operating the device during subsequent cartridge replacement, adversely affecting or endangering him, since he would come into contact with the active substance (irritant substance) when gripping (replacing) the fired cartridge.  
         [0006]     The seal may be arranged either on the cartridge or in the area holding the cartridge. The seal can now preferably be provided by a sealing means which seals the head area of each cartridge with respect to the wall of the holding area in fluid-tight or “powder-tight” manner. A seal can also be provided with respect to the nozzle front area. If a seal is provided with respect to the nozzle front area, then this has the advantage that virtually no active substance can remain behind, since all of the active substance is driven out by the propellant gases.  
         [0007]     If a seal is provided only in the head area of the cartridge, then this can be designed in a mechanically simpler form, minimal active substance residues then remain, and only in the area between the seal and the active substance outlet or nozzle outlet. This minimal active substance residue should have no effect on the operator of the firing device since, when the cartridges are being replaced, they are gripped only at their rear end, facing away from the active substance outlet. This area is clean, since a seal is provided as close as possible to the active substance outlet from the cartridge. The sealing of the cartridges is in no way restricted to the firing devices described below.  
         [0008]     A sealing ring arranged in the head area or in the nozzle front area can be used as a sealing means for sealing, and can then be held in a groove in the cartridge wall or in a groove in the holding area. Instead of a sealing ring, it is also possible to use adhesively bonded elastic rings or coatings, which would then preferably be applied to the cartridge.  
         [0009]     It is also possible to completely dispense with a sealing means as a separate mechanical physical part since, by the use of a suitable material and the corresponding geometry of the cartridge case, this itself carries out the sealing task by being pushed in by its expansion during the “firing” process. Specifically, the external contour of the cartridge expands during firing. The holding area and cartridge can then be designed such that their tolerances ensure that a seal is actually produced during the firing process, preferably in the cartridge head area. However, mechanically narrow tolerances must be complied with in this case, in comparison to the use of a sealing means. In addition, it is possible to use design elements which automatically result in sealing. This sealing can furthermore be provided by appropriate choice of materials, in particular for the cartridge case. (When using a separate sealing means (sealing ring or the like), it is possible to choose a greater tolerance between the cartridge outer wall and the inner wall of the recess, thus making it easier to replace the cartridges since this greatly reduces any jamming. The shape of the nozzle front area can also contribute to reducing the back-pressure and the resultant rearward flow of material during firing by designing this for good flow conditions (for example in the form of a funnel) towards that part of the nozzle which is essential for jet formation. In conjunction with a configuration of the cartridge holding area and cartridge matched to this, there is then no need for a separate sealing element. The nozzle front area is then a part or an extension of the cartridge holding area.  
         [0010]     The expression firing device which is similar to a bar and may also, for example, be in the form of a handheld firing device means a device which has no knob. Typical handheld firearms (pistols, revolvers, . . . ) have a knob. In simple terms, the firing device described here may in the widest sense be in the form of a “club”, a stick or the like. This is not a shape based on a rifle or a “bazooka” either. The design of the firing device as a handheld firing device now allows it to be held surrounded by only one hand for firing, although this should not be confused with the typical handling of handheld firearms or handguns. The handheld device in the form of a bar is held in the surrounding hand with the arm bent upwards such that the hand is located approximately at shoulder height and the rear face of the device opposite the active substance outlet comes to rest on the thumb side of the hand. The firing device has an external contour similar to a bar when it is in the operating state, that is to say when the cover part is folded up.  
         [0011]     The cartridges are preferably arranged coaxially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the firing device, with the same radial separation, except for a tolerance. The cartridges need not be arranged with the same radial separation. However, a design such as this has the advantage that this simplifies the arrangement of the firing bolts.  
         [0012]     The firing device is preferably designed such that all of the planes of symmetry of the cartridge group intersect on one line; an odd number of cartridges would result in a star-shaped arrangement. This line may, but need not, at the same time be the center axis of the device, which results in an esthetically good appearance and a device which is easy to handle. A different intersection line position may, of course, also be chosen. All that interferes, although only slightly, with this symmetry is the safety element described below.  
         [0013]     There is no need for the device&#39;s longitudinal axis to coincide with the axis of symmetry of the cartridge arrangement if, for example, it is intended to fit accessories on one side of the device.  
         [0014]     If the intersection line is the center axis of the device, then all of the major functional elements are located either on or symmetrically along this center axis. The initiation button and a switching device for sequential initiation may then likewise be arranged on the center axis. The cartridges may be arranged in a rotationally symmetrical fashion around the center axis.  
         [0015]     A further advantage of the firing device is that it can be handled in one hand, and can also easily be controlled by only one hand. At first glance, it might admittedly appear that this would also apply to the device in U.S. Pat. No. 1,741,902, but this is not true. Unlocking of the safety device with a sliding movement parallel to the device axis while at the same time aiming and then initiating firing at right angles to the device axis only when the device is being aimed would actually overload most users. In one design variant of the invention, the initiation element is therefore advantageously arranged in the external contour, which is similar to a bar, in the rear end face of the cover part, and can be operated by the thumb. It need not be operated by the thumb, but the thumb is available. It could also be operated by a different finger, with the hand being rotated.  
         [0016]     In order to improve the operating convenience, safety and reliability, only a single safety unit with one safety element and one control element is therefore preferably provided, and is used to prevent inadvertent initiation of any of the cartridges. The control element is arranged in the casing face in the rear subarea of the firing device, such that it can be operated by a single finger on the hand which is holding the firing device. The operating directions of the control element and of the initiation element, that is to say the directions in which it is pushed, are at right angles to one another, in order to make inadvertent initiation impossible even if the firing device is dropped. A propellant charge can be initiated only when the control element and initiation element are operated together and at the same time. In comparison to U.S. Pat. No. 1,741,902, this arrangement results in easy and simple operation, which does not result in any deflection whatsoever away from the target. Specifically, in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 1,741,902, in order to arm the initiation lever, a slide on the housing casing must be moved parallel to the housing axis, and must then be pushed onto the lever, at right angles to the housing axis. Since, owing to its configuration in the form of a bar, U.S. Pat. No. 1,741,902 is gripped like a fist, one finger now has to carry out a lateral movement and another a pushing-down movement for firing. This movement combination is extremely unfamiliar for finger movements on one hand and must therefore be carried out with in each case one finger on each hand, that is to say with both hands, which is undoubtedly not an optimum procedure in a stress situation and may provide a severe distraction from aiming at the attacker.  
         [0017]     In a further preferred embodiment, a separate loading unit is provided for “arming” of the initiation unit. The “arming” process is therefore not automatic, as in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 1,741,902. This ensures that initiation can never take place during loading manipulation operations. Specifically, the loading unit allows arming only when the cover part is closed. In addition, the loading unit has a loading element which, in particular, can be operated from the front end face of the cartridge holding unit, with the device having to be held in only one hand, in this case as well. This makes it possible to arm all the cartridges in a single action. The front face of the firing device can also be pressed against an object or against the ground, for this purpose.  
         [0018]     The cartridges are arranged symmetrically with respect to the loading element, in particular in order to save space, but also to give the device a pleasant appearance.  
         [0019]     Various safety measures can now be implemented against inadvertent initiation of the loaded and “armed” firing device. The initiation element can be protected by the safety unit against being pushed in by a movement block. However, when the firing bolt strikes the propellant charge, its striking movement can be fixed in position by the safety unit, with the fixing being arranged such that it can be overcome by means of the safety unit. These safety measures can now be used individually or jointly.  
         [0020]     In order to achieve correct propulsion with good aiming characteristics, each holding area is closed by an outer nozzle which matches the cartridge, and a free area for holding parts of the cartridge head that have broken off is arranged in front of that part of the nozzle which governs the jet formation. In order to make it possible to use the firing device at low cost, attention was paid firstly to the capability to replace the cartridges and secondly to the “consumable materials” for the cartridges having as low a cost as possible. For this reason, and in contrast to an embodiment in EP-A 1 158 263, the outlet nozzles with the nozzle front area or free area are not integrated in the cartridge, but in the cartridge holding unit. The cartridges are simply formed only with an active substance storage area, a driving device and a propellant charge which acts on the driving device, with the cartridge head being designed such that it can be torn off. This then ensures that the cartridge head opens correctly into the free area during firing. The propellant charge can preferably be ignited pyrotechnically or by the striking action of a firing bolt. However, the process of tearing open takes place “like flower petals”, that is to say it bursts opens without parts flying away from it in the process. Free space is provided for the parts that have burst open in front of that part of the nozzle which governs the jet formation, that is to say a space is provided in front of the nozzle inlet, such that the parts of the cartridge head which have burst open do not impede the flow of the jet through this part of the nozzle, thus resulting in the case head being opened correctly into this area. This free area is thus part of the cartridge holding area, or its extension.  
         [0021]     Since, for price reasons, the storage area in the cartridges is generally in the form of a circular cylinder, the cartridge holding area may also be in the form of a circular cylinder with a diameter that is larger by a tolerance. However, in order to guarantee that cartridges which are located in the cartridge holding unit are always replaced well, the cover part is designed such that it can be lifted up or pivoted up with respect to the cartridge holding unit. Furthermore, the cross section of the area which holds the cartridges in the cartridge holding unit is designed such that it tapers towards the free area. A minimum coning angle of between 0.30° and 0.45° is preferably chosen for the conicity. This is because the cartridges expand while the active substance is being fired and could thus become jammed firmly in that area. If the cartridge were to be pressed into the conical area, matching its shape, during firing, it would just have to be forced a short distance out of the cone after firing, and could then be removed without any problems. As already mentioned above, this pressing-in process can also be used to seal the cartridge head with respect to the holding area in a wall.  
         [0022]     The conical configuration of the holding area has been proven in all types of firing devices which operate with replaceable active substance cartridges, and is not restricted to the external contour like a bar.  
         [0023]     As already mentioned above, attention was paid to a low-cost design for the cartridges. The cartridges expand to a greater or lesser extent during-firing. In order now to make it possible to completely prevent any influence from the active substance remaining in the device during replacement of the cartridges, on the one hand the amount of the propellant means is chosen to be sufficiently large to drive out the active substance completely. The driving device on the inner face of the cartridges may, for example, as described in EP-A 1 158 263, have a pressure relief means on the inner wall, which forms a passage for the propellant means in the upper cartridge part between the driving device wall and the inner wall.  
         [0024]     In order to make it easier to replace the cartridges, each cartridge may have a first latching element on its casing, preferably in the lower area which holds the propellant means. The loading element is then preferably in the form of a sprung rod with a second latching element, which matches the first, with the two latching elements latching into one another while the loading element is being pushed in, and with the cartridges being ejected by virtue of the continued existence of the latching connection when the loading element is pushed in once again with the cover part unfolded, and being moved to a gripping position.  
         [0025]     An irritant liquid or an irritant gas is generally used as the active substance for a handheld firing device which is intended mainly for defense purposes; however, powdery substances may also be used.  
         [0026]     The substances listed in the following text are examples of liquid active substances which may be used:  
         [0027]     A Capsaicin solution is already used in the known “pepper sprays”. Capsaicin is an extract of the chili pepper plant, which is generally dissolved in alcohol in a concentration of between 1% and 4%. Capsaicin leads to sudden, temporary inflammation of all the mucus membranes with which it comes into contact (for example eyes, breathing passages). Capsaicin is effective both against humans and against animals. In contrast to Lacrimonium, which is mentioned in the following text, it leads to involuntary closure of the eyes.  
         [0028]     A CS solution may be used as another liquid active substance. CS is form of Lacrimonium which produces tears. An additional effect is a severe itching effect on the skin. CS is effective only against people.  
         [0029]     CN solutions may also be used. CN leads to nausea. However, it acts more slowly than a CS or Capsaicin solution.  
         [0030]     Furthermore, stinking secretions may be used as liquid active substances. Most stinking secretions also lead to nausea.  
         [0031]     CS and CN can also be used in gaseous form, instead of a liquid active substance.  
         [0032]     By way of example, Capsaicin may also be used as a powdery active substance for self-defense, and is crystalline in its pure form at room temperature. However, solutions act more quickly than ejected powdery active substances. Powdery active substances have the advantage, however, that they remain in the area for a certain time period as a cloud.  
         [0033]     Mixtures of liquid and gaseous substances may also be used as the active substance. These are then often foams, which adhere to the attacker being defended against. Capsaicin may also be used in this case.  
         [0034]     Mixtures of solid and liquid active substances often likewise contain Capsaicin. These are, for example, gels. Dyes may also be used for subsequent identification of a criminal. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0035]     Examples of the handheld firing device according to the invention will be explained in more detail in the following text with reference to the following drawings. Further advantages of the invention will become evident from the descriptive text. In the figures:  
         [0036]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of the handheld firing apparatus held in the hand,  
         [0037]      FIG. 2  shows an illustration analogous to  FIG. 1 , but with the cover part of the handheld firing device unfolded (this figure shows the ejection of the cartridges in a good gripping position),  
         [0038]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of the closed handheld firing device, not held in the hand,  
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows a view from the rear of the completely unfolded handheld firing device, likewise not held in the hand,  
         [0040]      FIG. 5  shows a longitudinal section through the closed handheld firing device along the line v-V in  FIG. 3 , showing the loading element of the loading unit in its rest position,  
         [0041]      FIG. 6  shows a longitudinal section through the closed handheld firing device along the line VI-VI in  FIG. 3 , with the loading element of the loading unit in this case having been pushed into a position in which the firing bolts are completely cocked,  
         [0042]      FIG. 7  shows a longitudinal section through the closed handheld firing device along the line VII-VII in  FIG. 3 , once again in this case showing the loading element and the loading unit in its rest position,  
         [0043]      FIG. 8  shows a section through the initiation unit of the handheld firing device, illustrated enlarged, with the two visible firing bolts (firing pins  69 ) in this case being cocked,  
         [0044]      FIG. 9  shows a longitudinal section through the closed handheld firing device along the line IX-IX in  FIG. 3 , with the handheld firing device just having been fired (the initiation element  21 , the lever arm  88  are pushed in and the firing bolt  19  has struck the firing cap, and the driving device  119  is at this stage driving the active substance  14  through the fractured burst ring  121  in the cartridge  3   a  into the nozzle front area  123 , and from there through that part of the nozzle  13   a  which is the major factor for jet formation),  
         [0045]      FIG. 10  shows a side view of a cartridge,  
         [0046]      FIG. 11  shows a cross section through the cartridge shown in  FIG. 10 ,  
         [0047]      FIG. 12  shows a plan view of the cartridge shown in  FIG. 10 , looking in the direction XII,  
         [0048]      FIG. 13  shows a longitudinal section, illustrated enlarged, through the firing charge and propellant charge with the adjacent active substance store of one variant of the cartridge illustrated in the form of a longitudinal section in  FIG. 11 , and  
         [0049]      FIG. 14  shows a longitudinal section, illustrated enlarged, through the front part of the firing device, illustrating two nozzle front areas and nozzles which are designed differently, alongside one another, just for clarity purposes. 
     
    
     APPROACHES TO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0050]     The multiple barrel handheld firing device  1  (which in this case, by way of example, has four barrels) which is illustrated from the side and from the front in the closed state in  FIGS. 1 and 3  and in the unfolded state in  FIGS. 2 and 4  may hold two or more (in this case four) cartridges  3   a  to  3   d . As is shown in particular in  FIG. 1 , the handheld firing device  1  can be held in only one hand  5  per use. The device  1  has a cover part  7  which forms the rear device part. Each cartridge  3   a  to  3   d  is arranged in a cartridge holding area  9 , which can be seen in  FIG. 5 , in a cartridge holding unit  11 . The cartridge holding unit  11  may be folded away from the cover part  7 . When the cover part  7  is folded way, the cartridges  3   a  to  3   d  can be removed, that is to say they can be replaced by new ones which have not yet been fired. There is a respective nozzle  13   a  to  13   d  for each cartridge  3   a  to  3   d  on the front end face of the handheld firing device  1 , through which nozzles the active substance  14 , which is stored in the respective cartridges  3   a  to  3   d , is ejected after ignition of the cartridge propellant charge  15  and after the front part of the cartridge head has burst open.  
         [0051]     The entire initiation device for the propellant charges in the cartridges  3   a  to  3   d  is located in the cover part  7 . The initiation device comprises an initiation element  21  which, as described below, can be pushed in by means of the thumb in a linear movement. The initiation element  21  acts via a switching unit  82 , which is likewise described below and is located in the cover part  7 , on a respective initiation unit for each cartridge propellant charge. Each initiation unit has, inter alia, a firing bolt  19 , which ignites the corresponding propellant charge by striking it.  
         [0052]     The firing caps  17  which are associated with the cartridge propellant charges  15  can be seen in  FIG. 4 . The firing caps  17  are ignited via a firing bolt  19  which is described in the following text. Each of the firing bolts  19  is initiated by pushing in an initiation element  21  of the initiation device by means of the thumb  22  on the hand  5  which is holding the handheld firing device  1 . The initiation element  21  is arranged in the rear end face  23  of the cover part  7 . Whenever it is pushed in, the device switches to the next cartridge (which has not yet been fired). Only sequential initiation is possible. It is never possible to fire two or more propellant charges at the same more cartridges at the same time, either. As can be seen in particular from FIGS.  1  to  5 , the handheld firing device  1  is in the form of a bar. It can thus be held with only one hand  5 , as is shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0053]     A loading element  27  of a loading unit projects out of the front end face  25  of the handheld firing device  1  and can also be operated, that is to say pushed in, from this face  25 . The loading unit is used for “arming” of the initiation unit; in simple terms, for cocking all of the firing bolts  19 . “Arming” is possible only when the cover part  7  is folded up, by using the hand to push the loading element  27  in in the direction L, which is analogous to the arrow direction A ( FIG. 6 ) or, as is shown in  FIG. 2 , by pushing it against a wall  28  or the ground. If the cover part  7  is unfolded, the cartridges  3   a  to  3   d  are ejected while the loading element  27  is pushed in. The four cartridges  3   a  to  3   d  and the four nozzles  13   a  to  13   d  which are associated with them are arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis  95  of the loading element  27 , which is also the axis of the device  1 .  
         [0054]     As a loading element to be operated, the loading unit has a support  27  which is similar to a knob and has a central inner hole  29 . One end  30  of a rod  31  is pushed into this inner hole  29 , although it can also be screwed in. The rod  31  and the loading element  27  are arranged in a central through-hole  33  in the cartridge holding unit  11 . A rod spring  34 , through which the rod  31  passes, is also-located in this through-hole  33 . One end of the rod spring  34  rests on a step  35  in the through-hole  33 , and its other end rests on the case end  37  of the support  27 , which is screwed onto the rod  31 . The rod spring  34  holds the loading unit in its rest position. A stop is provided in order to ensure that the loading unit is not forced out of the cartridge holding unit  11  by the spring force, and this stop is formed by the bolt  39 , which is described in the following text, and the longitudinal slots  40 . The other end  41  of the rod  31  passes centrally through an ejection element  42  in its central through-hole  43 . The ejection element  42  has a coaxial case  46  to which an outer ring  45  is fitted, which is arranged around the central through-hole  43 . As described in the following text, the outer ring  45  is used for ejection of fired cartridges  3   a  to  3   d  when the cover part  7  is open. This means that the cartridges  3   a  to  3   d  are moved to a gripping position. The cartridges  3   a  to  3   d  are in the form of circular cylinders, with the cartridge base  47  having a ring  49  as a step, whose diameter is larger than the rest of the cartridge cylinder. The outer ring  45  acts on this ring  49  or step.  
         [0055]     The other end  41  of the rod  31  strikes a bolt  51 , which is plugged into a disk  50  and on whose other end  52  a compression spring  53  acts. The disk  50  and the bolt  51  form a cocking element  55  for the firing bolt  19 . The cocking element  55  and the compression spring  53  are parts of the cover part  7 .  
         [0056]     Two longitudinal slots  56   a  and  56   b , which can be seen in  FIG. 7 , are provided on both sides parallel to one another in the casing of the case  46  of the ejection element  42 . These slots  56   a  and  56   b  interact with a slot  40  in the rod  31 . A mounting bolt  59 , which is connected to the cartridge holding element  11  and acts as a movement stop for the rod  31 , is passed through these slots  56   a ,  56   b  and  40 .  
         [0057]     A through-hole  60  through the ejection element  42  and a further longitudinal slot  61  in the rod  31  are provided in an axial extension of the slots  56   a  and  56   b , and a further bolt  63  is passed through the through-hole  60  and through the further longitudinal slot  61 , as a driver for the ejection element  42 . The rod thus has two longitudinal slots  40  and  61 .  
         [0058]     The cover part  7  is covered by a plate  64  which can be seen well in  FIG. 4 . The plate  64  has through-holes  65   a  to  65   d  for the firing bolt pins  19 , and has a further through-hole  66  for the other end  41  of the rod  31 . The rod end  41  then acts through this through-hole  66  on that end  67  of the bolt  51  of the cocking element  55  which faces away from the compression spring  53 . The diameter of the hole  66  is of such a size that both the rod end  41  and the bolt end  67  fit into it.  
         [0059]     By way of example, the handheld firing device  1  in this case has four cartridges  3   a  to  3   d , and thus also requires four firing bolts  19 . The four firing bolts  19  are part of an initiation unit, which can be seen in an enlarged form in the  FIGS. 5, 6  and  7  as well as in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  shows an enlarged illustration of two of the four firing bolts  19 . Each firing bolt  19  has a striking pin  69  which is accelerated towards the firing cap  17  in order to initiate the propellant charge for the relevant cartridge  3   a  to  3   d . Each striking pin  69  is arranged centrally on a plate  70 . A guide bolt  71 , which is guided in a hole  73  in the cover part  7 , is adjacent at the opposite center of the plate  70 . A compression spring  74 , through which the lower part of the guide bolt  71 , which is adjacent to the plate  70 , passes is seated on the plate  70 . The compression spring  74  is shown in the loaded state in  FIG. 8 . The adjacent upper part of the guide bolt  71  has a latching groove  75  and a knurled casing area  77 , which is separated by a non-machined casing part  76  of the guide bolt  71 . A latching catch  79  which can be moved transversely with respect to the axis of the guide bolt  71  (=device axis) engages in the latching groove  75 , and can be unlatched by means of a ball  81  in the initiation mechanism. The “cocking” of all of the firing bolts  19  (in this case four of them) jointly is carried out by pushing in the loading element  27 , with the disk  50  then resting on the plate  70  ( FIG. 6 ). It is pushed in until the latching catch  79  engages in the latching groove  75 .  
         [0060]     The ball  81  is seated in a depression in the switching unit  82  of the initiation mechanism. The switching unit  82  is designed to be cylindrical. On the right-hand side in  FIG. 8 , the switching unit  82  has a central nipple  83 , onto which the initiation element  21 , which can be operated by the thumb  22 , is snapped. In order to allow the initiation element  21  to be snapped onto the nipple  83 , it has a support  86 , which has a cavity  85  and whose opening is provided on the inside with a tapered opening edge  87 . A ball  91  is located between the opening base  89  and the nipple end face  90 . The ball  91  is used as an element to reduce friction, by analogy with a ball bearing ball between a rotational movement, which will be described in the following text, of the switching unit  82 , that is to say its nipple  83 , and the initiation element  21 , which carries out only an axial movement but is not intended to rotate during initiation, would otherwise lead to an undesirable rotary movement of the initiating thumb.  
         [0061]     The switching unit  82  is thus arranged such that it can be moved axially in a hole  88  which is coaxial with respect to the axis  95  of the cover part  7 . The area  84  of the switching unit  82  which is adjacent to the cocking element  55  has an intrinsically closed, circumferential guide groove  92 , which is like a sawtooth, in which a fixed bolt  88  engages as a “control pin”. The guide groove  92  and the bolt  84  can be seen in  FIG. 7 . The area  84  has a coaxial internal blind hole  93 , which is open on the left in  FIG. 8  and in which a further ball  94  is located, which is loaded by the compression spring  53  and presses against the bolt end  52  of the cocking element  55 .  
         [0062]     The initiation of a firing bolt  19  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The initiation element  21  is pushed in in the direction of the arrow E with the thumb  22  by means of a control element  99  (which is pushed in using the index finger of the same hand in the direction S which is explained below) of a safety unit  100 , whose hook-shaped lever releases the inner edge  103  of the initiation element  21 . When the initiation element  21  is pushed in, this moves the switching unit  82  in  FIG. 8  to the left, against the force of the compression spring  53 . In the process, the bolt  84  slides along the incline  104  of the guide groove  92 , with the switching unit  82  being rotated partially as far as its end point. The process of sliding along the incline  104  results in the switching unit  82  being moved, and in the process being rotated through about 90° (since four cartridges can be initiated successively).  
         [0063]     During the insertion and rotation processes, the ball  81  moves a bolt  97 , to which the latching catch  79  is fitted, transversely with respect to the axis  95  of the handheld firing device  1 , radially outwards, in this case upwards. This pushes the latching catch  79  out of its latching groove  75 , and the striking pin  69  of the firing bolt  19  is accelerated by the loaded spring  74 , which presses on its plate  70 , through the through-hole  65   d  out of the firing cap  17  of the cartridge  3   d , thus igniting the propellant charge.  
         [0064]     The initiation element  21  can be pushed in for initiation only when a catch element, as a safety unit  100 , is pushed in by a finger on the hand  5  surrounding the handheld firing device  1 . The catch element is a first lever arm  99  of the safety unit  100 , which is in the form of a two-armed lever, with the first lever arm  99  to be pushed in being loaded, as is shown in  FIG. 7 , by a compression spring  101 , and the second, other lever arm  102  having a catch  105  which engages under the inner edge  103  of the initiation element  21 . If the first lever arm  99  is now pushed in against the force of the spring  101 , then the catch  105  is raised, thus allowing the initiation element  21  to be pushed in.  
         [0065]     As already mentioned in the introduction, the individual cartridges can be “fired” only successively. The process of switching from one cartridge to the other is carried out by means of the switching unit  82 . Since four cartridges  3   a - 3   d  can in this case be connected sequentially, a quarter revolution was chosen. If a different number of cartridges are used, an appropriate rotation angle should be chosen (rotation angle=360° divided by the number of cartridges). When the initiation element  21  is pushed in again, this results in the pushing-out element being rotated further as far as the next holding element of one of the firing bolts.  
         [0066]     As already stressed above, the cover part  7  can be pivoted open from the cartridge holding unit  11  in order to replace the cartridges  3   a  to  3   d , as is shown in  FIG. 2 . It is pivoted open about the swivel joint axis  109 . In order to pivot the cover part  7  open, a slide  111  (which is loaded by a spring  110 ) on the casing of the cartridge holding unit  11  is pushed in the direction of the outlet nozzles  13   a  to  13   d , parallel to the axis  95  of the handheld firing device  1 . In order to allow it to be gripped well, the slide  111  has a knurled surface  112 . Pulling back the slide  111  releases a stud  114 , which engages in a groove  113  in the cover part  7 , after which the cover part  7  can be unfolded against the spring effect of a lug  115  which is arranged on the cartridge holding unit  11 . The lug  115  is thus actively locked in the closed state, and cannot be opened by any recoil effect. Locking of the cover part  7  is thus chosen such that it is well secured, in order to prevent inadvertent unfolding as a result of the recoil when firing when cartridges  3   a  to  3   d  are fired. This prevents the user being from injured by the cover part  7  suddenly springing open or by the cartridge holding unit  11  unfolding during firing.  
         [0067]     The secure locking of the lug  115  such that it is resistant to recoil need not necessarily be carried out by means of a separate locking element. It is also possible to achieve this by means of matched geometry of the lug and its opposing bearing.  
         [0068]     As can be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 8  and as already mentioned above, the cartridges  3   a  to  3   d  have a base ring  49  which is wider than their active substance store. An outer ring  45 , which is arranged on the ejection element  42 , engages in this ring  49 . If the loading element  27  is pushed in the direction of the arrow A against a wall  28 , for example by movement of the opened firing device  1  with the cover part  7  folded away ( FIG. 2 ), then the cartridges  3   a  to  3   d  are pushed out of the cartridge holding unit  11  in the direction of the arrow R, until they can be gripped well for replacement. The new cartridges  3   a  to  3   d , which have not yet been fired, can be inserted past the ejection element  42  without any problems, and, finally, the diameter of the active substance store is smaller than that of the base ring  49 . When the cover part  7  is closed, the loading element  27  is located in the position shown in  FIG. 5 , at a distance a 2 , from the front face  25  of the handheld device  1 . Then, as can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the distance is reduced to a 2 , in order to cock the official firing bolts  19 .  
         [0069]     As has already been stated in the introduction, the active substance  14  has a highly irritating effect. In order to ensure, as far as possible, that no irritation occurs during replacement of the cartridges  3   a  to  3   d , the head area  125  of the cartridges  3   a  to  3   d  is sealed with respect to the wall of the holding area  3  in the cartridge holding unit  11  by means of a sealing ring  127  as a sealing means.  
         [0070]     Instead of having to protect the initiation element  21  against being pushed in, it is also possible to protect the firing bolt or the firing bolt unit against initiation. The cartridges and the holding areas are in this case illustrated in the form of circular cylinders. Instead of the circular cylindrical shape, it is also possible, of course, to use other shapes, such as a quadrilateral cross section. However, in this case as well, it should be remembered that a contour which tapers towards the nozzles is chosen, in order that the cartridges can easily be withdrawn after being fired.  
         [0071]     The cover part  7  and the cartridge holding unit  11  need not be designed such that they can be unfolded and folded up around the axis  109 . It is also possible to design the two units  7  and  11  such that they can be moved away from one another and can then be fitted again, or can be pushed into one another. All that is necessary is to ensure that the connection is designed such that the cartridges can be replaced, and to ensure that there is a secure connection during the “firing” process.  
         [0072]     The cartridge  3 , which is illustrated in FIGS.  10  to  12 , has a case  130  composed of metal (aluminum, brass, copper, steel, . . . ) or plastic. The case end is closed by the propellant charge  132 , on which the firing charge (firing cap)  17  acts directly ( FIG. 13 ). The propellant charge and the firing charge form a single part, referred to in the following text as the propellant means cartridge  128   a  or  128   b , respectively. The propellant means cartridge  128   a  is illustrated in  FIG. 11 , and the propellant means cartridge  128   b  is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The essential features of the two propellant cartridges  128   a  and  128   b  are identical. The propellant cartridge  128   a  has a curved front face  136   a , and the propellant cartridge  128   b , as a variant, has a planar front face  136   b . Both front faces  136   a  and  136   b  have notch lines  137 . The propellant means cartridge  128   a/b  is inserted into the case  130  with the edges peened over. The driving device  119  is located in front of the propellant charge  132 . The driving device  119  is in the form of a sleeve, so as to form a free area  131  between the front part  136   a/b  (facing away from the firing charge  17 ) of the propellant means cartridge  128   a/b  and the base part  133  of the driving device  119 . The driving device  119  is sealed with respect to the inner wall of the case  130  by a sealing ring  134 . In order to ensure that the case  130  tears open correctly, as can be seen in  FIG. 9 , its base part, which is in the form of a bursting disk  121 , has the notch lines  135  which can be seen in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0073]     The propellant means cartridge  128   a/b  is designed to be resistant to diffusion, preferably, in the form of an extrusion-molded metal case, which is closed with respect to the liquid store by the front face  136   a/b  such that it is completely resistant to diffusion. The front face  136   a/b , which is a planar metal disk in the variant  136   b , is then torn apart by the hot expanded gases that are produced during the ignition of the propellant charge powder  139 , such that the front surface parts, which are separated by the notch lines  137 , burst open into the free area  131  like a flower. The pressure passes into the free area  131  and drives the driving device  119  into the active substance storage area  141 , as a result of which the head part of the case  130  is ripped open.  
         [0074]     The cartridge design as described above, in particular for a liquid active substance, means that there is no diffusion of liquid vapor into the propellant charge powder even over lengthy time periods, which could greatly reduce its effect or could make the propellant charge powder unusable. The sealing ring  134  does not provide an adequate seal. To be precise, the sealing ring  134  does not prevent the ingress of active substance vapor into the free area  131 ; however, the liquid active substance does not penetrate into the free area  131 . The front face  136   a/b  thus tears open correctly “like a flower”.  
         [0075]     The cartridge as described here with a “diffusion-tight” propellant/firing charge is not restricted to use with the firing devices as described above; it can be used wherever fluidic active substances “which are to be fired” are used.  
         [0076]      FIG. 14  shows a longitudinal section, illustrated enlarged, through the front part of a firing device, with two arrangements (which are designed differently, alongside one another, only for clarity) of the nozzle and of its nozzle front area. An arrangement such as this could admittedly be produced in order to maintain different jet configurations for the active substance to be ejected in a firing device, but this would make it more expensive to manufacture the firing device. The arrangement illustrated in the upper area of the figure corresponds to that in  FIGS. 6 and 9  with a nozzle  13   d . The nozzle front area  123 , which can be seen well, as well as a considerably smaller tolerance area  145 , are arranged between the nozzle input and the front surface  143  of the cartridge case  130 . The tolerance area  145  is used to compensate for manufacturing tolerances as well as thermal expansion tolerances of the cartridge case  130  and of the cartridge holding area  11 . The cartridge head area  125  is, as already mentioned above, sealed by means of the sealing ring  127 . Those parts which are essential for jet formation are, in particular, the four nozzle channels  146 , two of which can be seen in  FIG. 14 . In order to prevent “creeping out” (leakage) of any active substance residues which are not driven out completely with the last propellant gas residues, or active substance residues which remain stuck to nozzle parts, a catchment annular area  147  is provided at the nozzle outlet. A nozzle closing area  149  is provided adjacent to the catchment annular area  147  on the outside. The cross section of the nozzle closing area  149  and of the catchment annular area  147  is circular cylindrical, with the diameter of the catchment annular area  147  being larger than that of the nozzle closing area  149 . The diameter of the nozzle closing area  149  is sufficiently large to prevent any adverse effect from the active substance jet  150  to be ejected.  
         [0077]     The shape of the nozzle front area can also be chosen for good flow conditions, such that the back-pressure, at least during “firing”, can be reduced sufficiently to make it possible to prevent any active substance from flowing backwards. By way of example, the lower figure area in  FIG. 14  shows a refinement such as this. In this case, a nozzle front area  153  is funnel-shaped. The funnel-like configuration merges into the funnel tube  154 , which is used for jet formation. The nozzle front area  153  may be regarded as an extension of the cartridge holding area, in this case identified by  155 . A catchment annular area  56  is also provided here, with a nozzle closing area  157  adjacent to it. The situation with regard to dimensions is analogous to that for the catchment annular area  147  and for the nozzle closing area  153 . For simpler and lower-cost mechanical production, the nozzle front area  153  is in the form of a straight truncated cone. However, a different conical casing contour, for example such as one with an exponentially running envelope line, may also be chosen, for better jet formation. In the case of the variant described here, there is no need for a seal with, for example, a sealing ring  127 . However, care must then be taken to ensure that the cartridge head is pressed in a fluid-tight manner against the wall of the cartridge holding area  155  by the majority of the expansion of the cartridge head during “firing” being elastic. In order to ensure that this expansion is sufficient, the wall thickness of the cartridge case  130  can be reduced in the area of the cartridge head, with an appropriate choice of tolerances.  
         [0078]     A so-called aiming laser may be integrated in the firing device by inserting this aiming laser into the relevant cartridge holding area rather than a cartridge. This “aiming laser cartridge” then has a battery or a rechargeable battery, a laser as the radiation source and, if necessary, an optical beam forming unit. The location of the emerging laser beam is chosen such that it can emerge through one of the nozzle channels. The laser beam can be switched on even with the initiation element  21  partially pushed in, by means of an appropriately fitted electrical contact. However, a separate switch can be provided on the casing of the firing device.  
         [0079]     The firing device described above can now be used, depending on the active substance that is used, as a handheld firing device for self-defense, or else as a firefighting device.