Improvements in Boomerang Guns or Projectors.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 28th June, 1892-Accepted, 30th July, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by CHARLES HARRIS EMERSON, of No. 4,
Hawthorne Avenue, Yonkers, in the County of Westchester and State
of New York, United States of America, Gentleman.]
Improvements in Boomerang Guns or Projectors.
1, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
It is well known that the boomerang has excited great interest throughout the
civilized world, and that the principles involved in the construction and mode of
operation have been made the subject of much scientific investigation.
Prior to my invention there existed no means known to me which would enable
a boomerang to be projected under absolutely uniform mechanical conditions, and
hence certain inevitably erratic operations, during a flight, have added to what have
been widely deemed the mysteries of the boomerang. Even among the Australians,
and in the hands of those admitted to be expert in the use thereof, the erratic
movements of the boomerang have been noticeable to a degree far beyond what
would naturally be incident to variations in wind currents and pressure. It has
therefore been generally accepted as n fact mere chance was involved if a
boomerang should be thrown so as to be operated in like manner during say two
successive flights; and therefore some scientific writers have expressed the opinion
that the boomerang could never be made to operate with precision either as to
distance and exact direction of outward flight, or as to its path during return, or as
to its final striking or resting point, even when the prevailing atmospheric con-
ditions were absolutely neutral. As a result of my invention, I have demonstrated
that a boomerang under ordinary atmospheric conditions, can be projected
mechanically, and made to operate with substantial uniformity, and that with
practice and experience, quite heavy conflicting wind currents can be so far
overcome as to frequently secure very similar consecutive flights.
I am not the first to devise means by which a boomerang may be mechanically
projected, and it is to be understood, that my improvements have for their object,
such a reliability and capacity for operation, as will enable practically uniform
result to be secured, and also enable comparisons of Hight to be made, as between
boomerangs simultaneously projected under like or different conditions, such, for
instance, as variations in gyration, both as to direction and rapidity, and also
variations in planes of motion.
Guns embodying my invention, I believe should be graded as scientific toys,
inasmuch as their use cannot fail to interest persons of high scientific attainments,
and especially those to whom the boomerang has been deemed worthy of study and
investigation. As toys for general use, they will possess however their greatest
commercial value, inasmuch as they can be employed as implements in certain
interesting outdoor and even indoor games founded thereon.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1, in plan or top view illustrates one of my boomerang guns in one of
its most complex forms, appropriate dotted lines in said figure indicating six
boomerangs in position to be projected.
Figure 2, is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the "muzzle" portion of
the gun on a scale larger than in Figure 1.
Figure 3, is a similar view of the breech portion.
Figure 4, is a front end or muzzle view of the gun, showing two boomerang
holders in their simplest form.

page_text: Figure 5, is a side view of one of the boomerang holders, of a more complex
form.
Figure 6, is a lateral section of the holder Figure 5, on the line of its controlling
bolt.
Figure 7, is a lateral section of the gun at the junction of the barrel with the
front portion of a triangular frame piece on which spring arms are mounted.
Figure 8, in top view illustrates one of my guns, which although capable of
throwing but one boomerang, is specially well adapted for securing long flights of
large boomerangs.
Figure 9, is a side view of the same.
Figure 10, is a sectional view of the gun at the junction of its barrel with the
spring arm frame.
Figure 11, in plan view, illustrates the main parts of a gun, having a spring
arm which can be set at any desired angle and swung throughout a half circle, or
even more if desired.
Figure 12, illustrates the same with the gun stock in cross section, and the
winging arm and its frame in side elevation.
Figure 13, is a vertical section of the spring arm, and frame on the line of the
pivot bolt by which the arm is mounted on the frame.
Figure 14, is a sectional view of the coiled spring, and the flat spring, illustrating
their connections.
Figures 15 and 16, in side and top views illustrates one of my boomerang guns
or pistols adapted to indoor service.
Figures 17 and 18, in side and top views, illustrates another of my small guns
or pistols.
Figures 19, 20 and 21, in top and two side views, illustrate a modification of a
boomerang holder of the spring jaw variety.
Figures 22 and 23, illustrate in top view and section, one of my guns wherein
explosive compounds may be used.
Figure 24, illustrates in top view one of my guns having non pivoted spring
arms.
Figure 25, is a diagramatic illustration of the development of the outline of my
boomerang in its best form.
Figure 26, in side view, illustrates a boomerang in one of its best forms as
devised by me.
Figure 27, illustrates the same in edge view.
I will first describe the gun shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, this being in one
of its most complete and expensive forms, and capable of projecting six boomerangs
in simultaneous flight, or any lesser number. The organization of this gun enables
boomerangs to be projected in pairs, and hence those in each pair will make their
flights under practically uniform mechanical conditions, and each of the entire
number during a simultaneous flight, will encounter substantially similar atmospheric
conditions with respect of density and rarity, and including of course, prevailing
wind currents.
"
The gun A has a breech a of suitable form, usually composed of hard wood,
although other material may be used. The barrel b is provided with a longitudinal
chamber, after the manner of an ordinary gun, and, as in prior cross bow guns,
the barrel is slotted laterally as at 62 for a portion of its length, for the reception
of a wire or cord, or of eye bolts to which the bow cords may be attached.
Within the barrel there is a suitable plunger specially shown in Figure 2
having a rubber tip or buffer at its front end, and at its lower side at its rear end
a trigger notch. The central portion of the plunger is longitudinally and
vertically slotted, as at c³, for the reception of a vertical stop pin d, which limits
or restricts the forward movement of the plunger. This pin is adjustable in that
the barrel of the gun has two holes at d' and , the latter being at the rear of the
first and hence if the stop pin should be located therein, the extent of the
forward movement of the plunger would be appropriately restricted.
:

page_text: At the rear end of the plunger there is a lateral hole c', which may either be
occupied by a bolt, projecting laterally through the slot 2, or by a bow cord as
will be hereinafter described.
Two laterally extended spring arms B and B are secured to the barrel of the
gun by means of a triangular frame, having aket for the barrel ate. and it is
mainly secured to the barrel by means of a clamp screw, and cap plate as
shown in Figure 7. Each spring arm is provided with a powerful spring. located
in the space between the frame e and the cap plate, each spring having an arbor,
squared at its outer end, and provided with a ratchet wheel and a spring pawl,
thus enabling the spring to be adjusted as to tension.
The main portion of each spring arm is composed of wood, or other material
specially selected with reference to its resiliency, and it is so shaped or formed as
to afford prompt spring movements as will hereinafter be further explained.
The inclined portions of the frame e are each provided with an overlying rod e',
thus affording guide slots occupied by the spring arms, for restricting them in their
movements to a plane at right angles to the axes of the springs f. The frame arm e
being readily applied to and detached from the barrel enables the gun to be
dismantled and packed within a comparatively small space.
At each of the two outer ends of the frame there is a series of holes as at y, for
the reception of a buffer stop g' consisting of a bolt and an elastic tubular cushion
against which the spring arm will strike when permitted as for projecting a
boomerang, and the several holes enable a varied adjustment of the buffer stop.
A bow cord or wire is attached to the two spring arms and passes through the
slots and the hole c' in the spring plunger and when retracted the trigger with
its arm will engage with the trigger notch e' in said plunger, and maintain the
arms and plunger in position for service.
With the parts as thus far described, the spring arms can both be retracted for
action into positions indicated by dotted lines, but I have provided for a much
wider range of movement by means of a trigger plate A' near the outer end of each
arm, said plate being perforated as shown to enable it to be engaged by and
readily released from the trigger c which has an upper arm c projecting its tip
above the top surface of the gun, as clearly shown in Figure 3. With these trigger
plates, either or both spring arms may be retracted into positions substantially
parallel with the barrel of the gun thus affording a swinging path for either arm
covering quite 90°. In some of my simpler guns, the trigger plate his projected
forwardly from the arm, thus enabling said arn to be retracted still farther, and
to partially overlie the barrel. Similarly arranged trigger plates can be used in
this gun but in that case the two spring arms could not be put into simultaneous
action.
This gun has six boomerang holders, four of which are in pairs, and those of
each pair are substantial counterparts, but the other two differ somewhat from
each other. All of the boomerangs are projected by the operation of the spring
arm, but said arms deliver their projecting force to the boomerangs under what
may be termed three different modes of operation two of said modes are so far
alike that in both, the boomerang being at rest is forcibly struck, while in the
third mode, it is swung forwardly with great rapidity and released with a powerful
kick or jerk due to the reactionary force of the spring arms. The three so termed
modes of operation are, however so far alike that in each case the boomerang
will not only be projected in a right line but also rapidly gyrated or rotated.
Each spring arm at its outer end is provided with a boomerang holder (or C,
having spring jaws between which the proper spur" or end of a boomerang is
inserted. In its simplest form the jaw holder will be afforded by a slot of proper
width in a piece of springy wood but in this case it is provided with means for
operating the jaws in grasping and releasing a boomerang, and said holder may be
integral with the spring arin, but as angular adjustments are desirable these
holders C C are each secured to their arms by a lateral pivot bolt i
As shown in Figures 5 and 6 the holder C is provided with a transverse clamp,

page_text: which is shown here as a bolt & transverse to the jaws, and below the head of the
bolt and non rotatively in contact with the top of the holder there is a transversely
convex washer A. A lever or arm is pivoted upon said bolt and it operates as a
cam lever because at its inner end it is provided with a transversely concavo-convex
disc, which overlies the washer and is closely confined between it and the
head of the bolt k. When the disc lies with its under transversely concave side
in full contact with the convex top of the washer ', as shown in Figure 5, the
jaw holder (or slot) stands open to its fullest extent, but when the arm / has been
swung so as to stand at right angles to the side of the holder, as shown in
Figures 1 and 6 the discs serve as cams and hence the jaws will be forced together
(or the slot partially closed) as indicated by a dotted line in Figure 5 because of
the compressing effect of the upper disc, its two drooping surfaces or elges then
riding on the two raised edges or surfaces of the lower disc. The outer end of
said arm is bent at a right angle as shown and this serves as a releasing abutment
as will be hereinafter fully explained.
As a rule I provide the jaw holders with convex or inwardly projecting clamping
surfaces as are clearly shown at in Figure 5 these being preferably afforded by
well secured coincident discs of leather or wood. This pivotal grip by the jaws upon
a boomerang will always be conducive to good flights.
As before indicated the holders C and C' are counterparts and therefore the
description of one will apply to both.
The boomerang holders D and D' are also counterparts and each includes a portion
of, or it may be adjustably attached to the extremity of the frame e as shown in
Figure each holder includes an arm m (pivotally connected to the frame e by
means of a clamp bolt g?) and a light flat spring m' on the flat side of said arm said
side affording a supporting surface between which and said spring a boomerang may
be interposed with a portion of its edge projected toward the adjacent spring arm.
The projecting blow is delivered against the edge of the boomerang by the spring
arm which is provided on its side with a suitable buffer or cushion m². These
holders may each be variably adjusted on its clamp bolt and thus provided for the
delivery of the projecting blows under the most favourable conditions. In some of
my guns dispense with the pivoted arm m and provide a supporting notch or two
small light springs operating like a thumb and finger, and locate them at the corner
projections of the frame e beyond the pivotal points of the arms m.
At the outer end of the gun, the boomerang holders E and E are located. The
holder E is a mere supporting platform afforded in part by a thin platen slotted at
its inner end as at n¹ to admit of the absence of the buffer on the front end of the
plunger as clearly indicated in Figure 2. At the one side of said plate and in the
same plane, there is a lateral wire frame n² as shown in Figures 1 and 4 the upper
side of which serves as a supporting surface for a boomerang when placed in or on
this holder, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1. This frame is sometimes
provided on its inclined rear portion, with a sliding block as at which will
an adjustable shoulder with which the rear edge of a boomerang
may engage and enable it to be more firmly seated when the gun
is to be
elevated.
The holder E' is below the holder E and it includes a lateral slot a below the
plate the bearing surface of said slot being supplemented by a wire frame like
the frame n².
serve as
It will be readily seen that boomerangs will be projected from the holders D D¹
and EE by striking blows, but the delivery of boomerangs from the holder (' ("¹
involves a preliminary throwing force applied during the quick swinging movement
of a swinging arm, supplemented by a powerful kiek or jerk when the arm strikes
against its cushioned stop or butter. "One spur or tip of the boomerang is lightly
grasped between the jaws of the holder the other tip lying adjacent to the side of
the spring arm and during the swinging movement of the arm the boomerang will
rarely vary in its position, but as soon as the arm strikes against its buffer stop, the
boomerang swings outwardly in the holder nearly in a complete circle and with the

page_text: kick or recoil of the arm it is rapidly projected upon its gyrotary flight. In using
these particular holders the outer edge of the boomerang as it is swung around
strikes against the releasing abutment on the clamping lever I imparting to the
latter a sufficient movement to secure a prompt release of the boomerang by the
opening of the jaws of the holder. The lever being composed of wire may be
readily bent thus enabling the abutmentbly
that it may be
struck by the boomerang at the most favourable portion of its pivotal movement in
the holder.
"
or
It is to be understood that some of my boomerangs are specially adapted for
gyration in one particular direction and they are therefore either "right hand
left hand boomerangs and each pair of holders may receive one of each kind.
As shown in Figure 1, six boomerangs indicated in dotted lines may be projecte 1
practically simultaneously or either pair may be thrown without the others, or
either one of either pair may be made to make its flight. If six be thrown three
will gyrate in their flight toward the right hand and three toward the left but all
will be projected in an upwardly inclined but straight line and at the termination of
their outward flight they will return as a rule substantially on the same line and
especially if not adversely affected by air currents. Some of my boomerangs are
adapted for use either as rights or lefts, but the direction of their gyrotary
rotations during a flight will of course depend upon the particular holder from which
they may have been projected. It will be obvious that the practically simultaneous
flight of two or more boomerangs, from substantially the same point will afford
specially interesting opportunities for comparing the ariel capacities of boomerangs
which are more or less varied in the matter of contour thickness weight &c.
of the several capacities for adjustment of the several parts have their value in
enaling investigators from a scientific standpoint to quite widely vary the
mechanical conditions under which flights may be made, and also to compensate for
wind pressures as well as to vary the projecting force in proportion to the size and
weight of each boomerang.
Each
For securing specially long flights and comparatively large boomerangs I prefer
to provide for single flights and hence I have devised a comparatively heavy gun
having a single spring arm and holder as illustrated in Figures 8, 9, and 1.
Smaller guns of this type but lighter and cheaper are also desirable and these will
profitably embody more or less of the several features of my invention.
This gun Ahas no tubular barrel the stock beyond the breech being solid except
where it is chambered for the reception of the trigger mechanism.
The spring arm B in this gun is all in one piece composed of resilient wood,
thick at its butt thin centrally and having at its end a boomerang holder (which
is of the spring jaw form before described, but is integral with the arm. It is
however provided with an adjusting bolt for closing the jaws to any desired degree
and a trigger plate A is attached to the arm by means of said bolt, but in this case
said plate as shown projects from the front side of the arm instead of from the rear
side but it may be swivelled on its bolt into said rearward position if desired.
this holder the adjusting bolt has been so accurately located that it may serve also
as a releasing abutment inasmuch as the boomerang pulls itself away from the jaws
of the holder as a result of its outer edge striking said bolt although the jaws are
not opened, as with the automatic releasing abutment described in connection
with Figures 1 and 5.
In
This spring arm is pivoted at its butt upon a strong bolt secured to the outer end
of an arm frame which is composed of round rods parallel with each other and
affords a longitudinal slot, and the frame is secured to the gun stock, by means of a
yoke encircling the stock, and a clamp plate, beneath which the frame may
Slide longitudinally, and be clamped in any desired position, thus securing longi-
tudinal adjustment.
A powerful spring ƒ” is secured at one end to the yoke e, and at the other to the
spring arm B², at an appropriate point between its pivot, and the holler C. It will

page_text: be seen that the longitudinal adjustment of the frame, will effect a corresponding
adjustment of the force of said spring.
At the opposite end of the arm frame there is a stop or buffer g' consisting as
before described of a bolt and a tubular rubber cushion, and this buffer is also
adjustable on the frame, longitudinally, the bolt having a shoulder which rests on
top of the frame and a clamp nut beneath, this providing for adjustment of the
buffer with relation to the pivotal point of the spring arm, or, otherwise stated, with
relation to the holder C².
A trigger with its upwardly projecting arm e³ is, as before described, and it in
like manner engages with and releases the trigger plate h¹.
As thus far described the swinging spring arms are adapted to sweep within a
radius of 90°, but this may be, and has been by me, increased in some of my guns of
this type, as will be now described in connection with Figure 8. It will be under-
stood that in said guns the point of connection between the spring and the spring arm is
located nearer the holder C, and that the butt of the arm is prolonged as indicated
in dotted lines; the front end of the stock is laterally mortised, and in it is housed
a grooved pulley; a strong cord or fine wire is attached to the butt end of the
spring arm, carried over the grooved pulley, and back within a few guide eyes, to
the trigger. The cord at its free end is provided with one or more loops or rings
for engaging with the trigger arm. With said organization, the spring arm has
a sweep of at least 120°, but the use of the cord in that manner involves some little
inconvenience, and hence for securing similar results, I have introduced in the place
of the grooved pulley, an auxiliary trigger, connected by a wire with the trigger c
and I have also attached to the butt end of the spring arm, a flexible perforated
trigger plate for engaging with the auxiliary trigger.
With the two forms of gun thus far described, a varied range of swinging
movement by the spring arms has been provided for, but nevertheless with both of
them there are certain intermediate ranges of movement which are not available.
For securing a universal range of movement, and at the same time providing for a
swinging movement of 180° or more, I have devised a comparatively complex and
explosive gun, in which the spring never varies in its position with relation to the
spring arm, and, moreover, in said gun a powerful flat spring may be employed in
connection with a spiral or coiled spring, and either or both of said springs may be
used.
With said gun, it is practicable to impart to the swinging arm a movement of
about 270°, but in such case, the grip by the holder on the boomerang must be very
strong so as to prevent its centrifugal discharge prior to the striking of the buffer
stop by the spring arm.
Referring to Figures 11 to 14 inclusive, it is to be understood that in this
gun A'
the spring arm 132 is as before described, and it has a suitable boomerang holder C
This arm frame e' resembles the frame in Figure 8, and the spring arm at its butt
end is provided with a circular notched trigger plate 2, which performs the function
of the trigger plates before described, and the axis of the spring arm pivot is the
axis of the said plate. The said pivot is a hollow stationary stud o, rigidly
projecting from the end of the frame, but within said stud there is a shaft p
squared at its outer end for engagement with a plate pl on the spring arm, having
square hole snugly occupied by the square end of the shaft, and well clamped by a
nut as shown. At the opposite or lower end of said shaft p there is a 'wheel り
(which may be segmental) having a grooved periphery for the reception of a cord
or flexible wire ', or metal band, which is secured to said wheel and also in a
peculiar manner to one end of a coiled spring, the other end of said spring being
either attached to the stock of the gun, or to a clamp adjustable on the frame, or as
shown, to the hooked tip of a powerful flat spring bolted firmly at its base to the
side of the gun, and provided with an adjusting screw. Within the coiled spring,
there is a rod having a collar suitably connected with the outer end of the coiled
spring, so that when said rod is connected with the cord or wire ', and the latter is

page_text: secured to the wheel y. the swinging of the arm 133 rearwardly will distend the
spring. The rear end of the rod has a button or collar, which when the coiled
spring has been put under its maximum tension, will abut against the rear end of
said spring, and then a further rearward movement of the spring arm B³, will cause
a deflection of the heavy flat spring, the latter below its hooked tip being
wide and provided with hd through with the rod and its button 3, may
freely pass.
The notched trigger plate h2 has been referred to, and it is now to be understood
that a trigger is laterally bevelled on top, so that the trigger plate in rotating
may pass freely over it, although the trigger will occupy each notch successively,
and will engage with such one of them as may be desired, and so hold the spring
under tension, and with the arm ready to swing. This trigger e is operated by a
finger trigger in the usual position, near the breech, by means of a wire parallel
with the gun stock, and a bell crank lever within the stock, adjacent to its junction
with the arm frame, and respectively connected with the finger trigger wire, and to
a wire which is connected to the trigger Instead of the wires and bell crank
lever, a single length of fine very flexible wire cord, may be employed, a grooved
pulley being located where the bell crank lever is, and the wire being connected
with the finger trigger and the trigger e“.
With this gun the combined force of two springs may be applied to the projection
of one boomerang, as in the gun Figure 1, although in the latter case this is done
by way of a plunger, and with a striking blow, but it will be obvious that this gun
may readily be provided with a boomerang holder corresponding with the
holder D. of Figure 1, so that this powerfully driven spring arm may operate
AS A "striker in projecting a boomerang. This gun has also an adjustable
stop or buffer g', and it is struck by the spring arm in the manner already
described.
"
It will be seen that with the two springs organized as in Figure 11, the heavy
flat spring exerts its force in overcoming the inertia of the arm at the beginning
of its movement, and then the prompt action of the more delicate coiled spring
follows and continues during the remainder of the swinging movement of its arm.
It will be readily understood that the boomerang holders may be widely varied,
as to details in construction without departure from the main features of my inven-
tion, but I deem it desirable to illustrate at least one other form of holder which is
well adapted for use on cheap swinging arm guns.
This holder is shown in Figures 19, 20 and 21. In this instance the spring
arm B has at its outer end a suitable enlargement t, having a flat broad top,
slightly inclined upwardly, upon which the spring jaw holder C³ is mounted.
This holder is composed of thin sheet spring metal (steel or brass) in one piece,
partially bent upon itself to afford jaws, but having a lateral portion, which is bent
downwardly at right angles as at to enable it to be fastened as by a screw to the
front side of the arm at its end t. A screw at passes through both jaws into
the wood, thus enabling the upper jaw to be deflected by the head of the screw
to any desired degree of adjustment. Near its outer end, the holder has one or
two coincident indentations as at r, which at their interior surfaces will serve as
pivotal points like the surfaces in the holder Figure 5, between which an inserted
boomerang will be pivotally gripped, and thus secure a free swinging movement of
the boomerang just prior to making its flight.
In this form of holder, a releasing abutment consists of a stud or pin / adjustably
located in some one of the several holes P. The tightening screw ', serving as a
transverse clamp in this form of metal holder, is not favorably located for operating
properly as a releasing abutment, and the pin and the holes do not enable as precise
an adjustment, as is desirable, when boomerangs of various sizes and weights are
to be projected. I have therefore provided the holder with an adjustable releasing
abutment, which is mounted at the rear side of the holder, and has a tail piece
longitudinally slotted for the reception of a clamp screw, as clearly shown, thus
providing for sliding the abutment into precise positions of adjustment.

page_text: The use of my heavy boomerang guns will of course be restricted to the open
air, but I have devised small light guns which are in the general form of pistols,
and when these are used with appropriate small light boomerangs they are adapted
to indoor pastimes, and may be used in very entertaining competition, in the way
of securing accurate return flights, or the encircling of chandeliers, preparatory to
the return flight.
i
One of these small guns is illustrated in Figures 15 and 16. In this case the
gun A³ is in the form of a pistol, and it is provided with a trigger, having its
arm projecting as before described, above the upper surface of the stock, us at e'.
The spring arm B in this gun is composed of hard wire, and is an integral part of
a coiled spring, which has its fulerum in a bent pendent stem secured to the sides
of the stock. The end of the spring arm is provided with a buffer which occupies
a longitudinal vertical slot in the stock, and the arm is restricted against undue
forward movement by a cushioned abutment across the end of the gun as at f*. A
cord or wire is attached to the spring arm, and at its free end it has a ring f
for engaging with the trigger when the spring arm has been properly retracted.
The trigger readily releases the arm in a manner already described.
The boomerang holder E2 is similar to the upper holder at the front end of the
gun Figure 1, the adjacent portion of the top of the stock serving as a supporting
surface, and a headed stud r, and a second plain stud, enable a boomerang to be
properly applied, so as best receive the projecting blow from the spring arm, and
with the edge of the boomerang, inserted between the head of the stud and the
underlying surface, it will be quite securely held in position.
Another form of my small guns, is illustrated in Figures 17 and 18, wherein a
plunger is employed generally after the manner already described in connection
with the gun Figure 1. The gun or pistol A', has its tubular barrel open at the
rear. The rear end of the plunger c is always exposed, and it has two lateral
arms s, s, with which strong band or rubber springs s', s', engage, under tension,
the front ends of said springs being secured to the outer sides of the stock. The
underside of the plunger has a series of notches, with any one of which the
trigger may engage, thus providing for varying the projecting force.
Between the lateral arms s, s, and the rear end of the barrel, cushions are
interposed for securing a reactionary effect at the front end of the plunger, which
as described in connection with Figure 1, is provided with a rubber tip or buffer.
The holder E has a lateral slot for the reception of a boomerang, as with the
corresponding holder in the gun first described.
My guns may be operated by the use of explosive compounds, or of compressed
air, and it is to be understood that in both cases the guns or pistols would preferably
be like many of the ordinary air or powder guns, with respect of the compressing
chambers and cartridge chambers, and also of the trigger and discharging
mechanisms. My guns, however, involve radical departures from prior guns of
those types, in that mine are provided with one or more boomerang holders in
some form, and are preferably not adapted to discharge air or gas from the muzzle,
but are provided with suitable vents or openings between the firing chamber and
the muzzle and still further my guns are provided with strikers or movable buffers
in some form, which are actuated by the expansion of the air or gas, and their
forces are so transmitted to a boomerang as to impart thereto both the right line,
and rotative movements. With guns of this type, extraordinary speed of rotation
or gyration may be secured affording great steadiness during long outward flights.
and very accurate returns.
I have illustrated one of my powder guns in Figures 22 and 23, and it will be
understood that this gun or pistol A. has a cartridge chamber, firing mechanism.
and a breech loading capacity, after the manner of the well known Ballard gun.
Within the barrel, there is a sliding striker, having a tail piece ir, which enter
the closed rear portion of the barrel quite freely, and is provided with annular
grooves for gas tightening, without undue friction. The body of the striker is of
larger diameter than the tail piece, but is light and strong, and has a rubber tip, a.

page_text: already described. Lateral guide pins, through the striker, occupy longitudinal
open slots in the sides of the barrel, said slots affording free vents for the gases,
after they have driven the tail piece beyond the smaller section or gas chamber of
the barrel. At the muzzle of the gun, there is a boomerang holder E' in the form
of a lateral slot, supplemented by side plates, or wins having their upper
surfaces in the same plane as the bearing surface of the slot, thus affording a holder
like the holders E, E, of the gun, Figure 1, although in this holder, a boomerang
may be presented, for making either right hand, or left hand gyrations, as in the
gun A. It will be readily understood that the cartridges used in my boomerang
guns, should contain no wads, in their ordinary form at least, and that the explosive
matter should be in comparatively small quantities, and preferably of the quick
burning, fulminate, or cellulose varieties, from which but little smoke will be
developed. If a powder retaining medium should be required at the inner end of
the cartridge, a thin disc of promptly combustible paper, can be relied upon. It
will be obvious that no changes would be involved in the front portion of this gun,
even if its rear portion should be organized to operate with compressed air.
It will be seen that the several boomerang holders are, in each instance, jaw
holders, in that they are provided with coincident surfaces, between which a
boomerang may be inserted flatwise, and frictionally held in an accurate position.
The action of a resilient arm upon striking a suitable abutment or buffer is
peculiarly desirable, and while this action is best secured by the use of a pivoted
awinging arm as already described, it can be fairly well obtained, with a non
pivoted arm, if it be moved bodily in a straight line by its spring or springs, as
illustrated in Figure 24.
In this gun A there is a pair of resilient spring arms B³, united (or integral) at
their butts, and secured to a guide block, sliding freely on the barrel of the gun,
and provided with a trigger plate for engagement with the trigger as before
described. The two boomerang holders C³, (3, are as before de-cribed, but each is
supplemented by a light flat spring, as at m³, between which and the edge surface
of the arm, one spur of a boomerang may be lightly held, while the other spur is
properly engaged in or by the jaws of the holder, thus preventing the premature
displacement of the boomerang.
Near the muzzle end of the gun there is a frame projecting laterally at each
side and in a plane corresponding with that occupied by the arms B³.
A pair
of coiled springs Fare so connected to said frame and to the arms 13 on
pulling the latter rearwardly and securing them by the trigger the springs will be
set under proper tension. At the outer ends of the frame there are buffers g',',
as before described, against which the arms strike at the termination of their
forward movement. For forcibly releasing the boomerang from the custody of
the springs m³, I provide auxiliary buffers g². g. The projecting end of a boomerang
strikes the adjacent auxiliary buffer a little in advance of the striking of the
buffer g by the spring arm, and therefore a prompt swinging movement of the
boomerang in the holder is secured although the clamping effect of the springs in³
is sufficient to prevent displacement of the boomerangs during the forward
movement of the arms and prior to their striking the buffers g.
It would be obviously impracticable for me to state in each instance the dimensions
of my several forms of gun, or the relative proportions of the several parts
thereof, or the requisite capacities of the springs therein, all of which will however
be fairly well understood by my stating, that boomerangs as constructed by me,
are composed of various materials, and are sometimes composite in their structure.
Strong close grained wood is the material mainly relied upon, and this is used
solidly, and in the form of veneers, and in connection with cloth or paper. The
boomerangs vary in length from four inches (parlor sizes) to twenty-four inches;
and in width from one-half inch to two, and even two and one-half inches, and in
thickness from one thirty-second of an inch to three or four sixteenths; and
in weight they vary from a few grains to say six ounces, My boomerangs in their
B

page_text: best forms are provided with gauge marks, which enable them to be readily and
accurately adjusted in either of the several forms of holder.
My discoveries with relation to the boomerang itself involve such radical
departures from boomerangs as heretofore known, that I deem it important to
describe certain novel peculiarities in construction which should be embodied in a
boomerang, if the best results are desired.
A cycloidal outline projected upon the plan illustrated in Figure 25 should be
substantially adhered to. The boomerang (should be uniform in width and
thickness, flat on both sides, and free from warp or twist as is fully indicated in
Figures 26 and 27. In all cases the ends should be pointed to form the spurs r,
and the outer top edge at one spur should be beveled as at ¹, as well as the
inner edge as at, the chamfering being varied according to whether the boomerang
is to be used as a left hand or a right hand projectile. The gauge marks.
are for enabling the boomerang to be properly adjusted in the jaws of the gun
holder, said works being usually mere coloured or painted lines across the sides,
or readily made as by accurately dipping the ends into liquid coloring matter.
sometimes groove the inner edge throughout the greater portion of its length,
as at, Figure 26, for enabling air to be partially enclosed, so as to secure special
steadiness during a flight. For enabling the boomerang to sing or whistle during
its flight, I sometimes provide a number of perforations as at 2, and when
properly located, such perforations near the ends may be relied upon as gauge
marks.
It is to be understood when a boomerang is projected from a gun, that the spur
which was in or nearest to the holder, is always the advancing or pioneer portion of the
boomerang; and that the projecting force is expended in what may be termed
two divisions, one of which induces the outward flight, or, in other words, the
motion of translation, and the other division of the force is expended in causing
the boomerang to make its rotations or gyrations throughout its outward and its
return flight. It is also to be understood that rapidity in rotation or gyration is an
important factor in securing long and steady flights, and hence the striking
blow should be delivered with reference to securing specially rapid rotation. It
will be seen that whether its boomerang is projected from a gun by a striking blow,
as from a plunger, or from a swinging arm when operated as a direct striker, or
from a holder at the end of a swinging arm, the projecting force is applied to the
boomerang in a manner so far substantially the same that in each instance said
force is expended partially in effecting a right line movement, and partially in
effecting the rapid rotatory or gyratory movement.
A
For partially indicating accuracy in operation I will state that any person with
moderate experience or practice with one of my guns, may cause a boomerang
to make an outward flight in a straight line, at say an angle of 45° upward, for a
distance of from two or three hundred feet, and to then return in substantially the
same line, but slightly elevated therefrom, and to pass say six or eight times out
of ten, through a hoop target located just above the head of the operator.
person having large experience by using boomerangs varying in weight or size, and
also varying the projecting forces in accordance with variations in air currents,
will seldom fail to cause the boomerangs in their return flights to pass within quite
limited predetermined areas at or near the point of departure. As for instance,
I have many times in succession projected a boomerang, two or three hundred feet
in its outward flight and upon its return flight caught it in my hat without moving
my feet from their original position.
Although I have illustrated my invention in connection with only a few of the
many forms of gun which have devised, constructed, and applied to service,
I believe my disclosures will be ample for enabling a full comprehension of the
several features of my invention, and to also enable the embodiment of all or any
of said features in various other forms without substantial departure from my
nvention.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said iaren-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a boomerang gan or projector, the combination substantially as herein before
described, of a gun stock, a holling jaw provided with coincident engaging surfaces
adapted to frictionally grasp and maintain a boomerang in proper position for
making a flight, and means for projecting the boomerang from the holder in a right
line and with a gyratory movement.
2. In a boomerang gun, the combination substantially as hereinbefore described,
of two boomerang holders, and a spring actuated swinging arm, carrying at its
outer end one of said holders, and operating as a striker in connection with the
second holder.
3. In a boomerang gun, the combination substantially as herein before described,
of a pair of swinging spring arms, each having at its outer end a boomerang holder,
and both swinging in the same plane but in opposite directions for securing a
practically simultaneous flight of two boomerangs, in parallel lines, but with
opposite gyratory movements.
4. In a boomerang gun, the combination substantially as herein before described,
of a suitable gun stock, several holders for variably maintaining an equal number
of boomerangs in position for flight, spring arms and a plunger carried with
said holders on said stock, and adapted to simultaneously project all of the
boomerangs from said holders, in parallel lines, but causing some of them to gyrate
in one direction and others in an opposite direction.
5. In a boomerang gun, the combination substantially as hereinbefore described,
of a holder having coincident straight parallel holding faces for receiving and
accurately maintaining a boomerang in position for flight, and a forcibly actuated
plunger for projecting a boomerang from said holder in a right line movement, and
with rapid gyrations, said plunger being restricted in its forward movement to
the rear portion of said holder, and the coincident faces at the front portion of
the holder serving to maintain the boomerang in a fixed plane after leaving the
plunger, and until it leaves the gun.
6. In a boomerang gun the combination with a suitable boomerang holder, of a
striker for projecting a boomerang from said holder, and means for varying
or limiting the movement of the striker toward the holder, substantially as
described.
7. In a boomerang gun, the combination of a swinging spring arm, having a
boomerang holder at its outer end, and an adjustable abutment or stop for said arm
substantially as described.
8. In a boomerang gun, the combination with a suitable holder for a boomerang,
of an arm or striker, and a tensionally adjustable spring, substantially as described,
whereby the projecting power of the gun may be varied, as well as the gyratory
motion of a boomerang.
9. In a boomerang gun, the combination with a suitable boomerang holder, of a
projector or striker for discharging a boomerang from said holder, a spring for
actuating said striker, a trigger, and means for variably coupling the striker
therewith for correspondingly varying the force of the striker against the
boomerang.
10. In a boomerang gun, a holder having jaws provided with parallel contact
faces for receiving and grasping a boomerang flatwise, and provided with a trans-
verse clamp for varying the grip of said jaws, substantially as described.
11. In a boomerang gun, a holder having jaws for receiving a boomerang, and
provided with an abutment against which a boomerang will strike when swung in
Baid holder, for effecting its release therefrom, substantially as described.
12. In a boomerang gun, a holder having jaws for receiving a boomerang, and an
adjustable abutment for varying the point at which a boomerang will strike said
abutment, just prior to making a flight, substantially as described."

page_text: 13. In a boomerang gun, a holder having jaws for receiving a boomerang, a cam
lever for varying the relations of the jaws, and also serving as an abutment for a
boomerang when swinging in the holder and enabling the boomerang to swing said
lever in one direction and thereby secure an automatic release from the jaws,
substantially as described.
14. In a boomerang gun, a jaw shaped holder for receiving a boomerang, and
having on the inner faces of the jaws coincident convex or inwardly projecting surfaces
for affording a pivotal grip upon a boomerang when held therein, substantially as
described.
15. In a boomerang gun, a swinging spring arm, in combination with a jaw
shaped boomerang holder, adjustably hinged to said arm by means of a clamping
pivot bolt which is parallel with the plane in which the arm swings, substantially
as described.
Dated this 28th day of June 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.