Improvements in Spring Guns or Pistols for use with Coin Freed Mechanism.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 15th June, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 15th Mar. 1892-Accepted, 11th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Spring Guns or Pistols for use with Coin Freed
Mechanism.
I JAMES GILBERT CUMMING Mechanical and Electrical Engineer 127 Dalry
Road Edinburgh do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the form and construction of the spring
gun or pistol used in connection with the apparatus and for the purposes referred
to in my application for Letters Patent No. 18,830 dated 20 November 1890. In
the different forms or methods of construction after described I preferably use the
coin freeing mechanism and open faced slot or gauge referred to or described in my
said previous application.
These improvements which I now proceed to describe are comprehended in three
separate and distinctive forms or methods of construction of the said spring gun or
pistol all of which forms or methods have the object and purpose described or
referred to in my foresaid previous application.
The first of the aforesaid forms or methods of construction I describe as follows.
I provide an outer casing of the gun or pistol consisting of two sides, a top plate, a
cover and a bottom plate; the whole being of a pistol or gun like form. To one
of the two sides the working parts of the mechanism are attached, the other side
along with the top plate cover and bottom plate being detachable and being for the
purpose of enclosing and protecting the mechanism.
Through suitable bearings fixed upon one side of the casing I provide or carry a bar
or rod. This rod carries on the front end a light spiral recoil spring and on the rear end
a strong spiral propelling spring.
The middle or centre of the bar or rod is of a flat or square like shape and it is
provided with a slot through which a strong pin is inserted and fixed on the casing.
The top of the flat part of the bar or rod is so shaped or formed as to act as a
hammer.
On the lower part of the bar or rod and near the centre thereof I provide a
projection or pin which works in connection with a lower spindle to be afterwards
described. Also on the lower part of this bar or rod I provide a notch or
ratchet.
Carried through and on suitable bearings and extending at the rear end through
the casing and having a suitable handle or knob attached thereto at the point or
end where it so extends I provide a lower spindle. At the rear end of this lower
spindle before it extends through the casing I provide a spiral spring. The front
end of the lower spindle is formed with a slot in which the projection or pin fixed on
the lower part of the bar or rod works. On the lower spindle being pulled out by
the operator the bar or rod is pulled or carried back along with it in consequence of
the lower spindle engaging with the pin on the bar or rod.
A spring catch or pawl carried on a centre is attached to the casing under the bar
or rod and a spring trigger carried on a centre is also attached to the casing. On a
suitable coin being placed in the slot or gauge which is mentioned in my said
application and on the knob or handle of the lower spindle being drawn out by the
operator the bar or rod is drawn back at the same time and on its being fully drawn
back the spring catch or pawl enters the notch or ratchet and prevents the bar or rod
returning till the trigger has been pulled. On the trigger being pulled it turns on
its centre and the front part thereof bears against the spring catch or pawl and causes
it to turn on its centre thus withdrawing it from the notch or ratchet on the bar or
rod and releasing the bar or rod which is then propelled forward by means of the

page_text: rear propelling spring. This spring is stopped in its forward action by the pin
fixed in the casing through the slot in the bar or rod. At the same time the
hammer strikes the coin and propels it out of the gun or pistol, the front recoil
spring is compressed and brings back the bar or rod to its normal position.
The second of the aforesaid forms or methods of construction I describe as
follows. I provide an outer casing similar to that above mentioned in connection
with the first form or method.
Through suitable bearings fixed upon one side of the casing I provide or carry a
bar or rod. This rod carries ou the front end a light spiral recoil spring and on
the rear end a strong spiral propelling spring. The middle or centre of the bar or
rod is of a flat or square like shape and it is provided with a slot through which
a strong pin is inserted and fixed in the casing. The top of the flat part of the
bar or rod is so shaped or formed as to act as a hammer. Also on the lower part
of this bar or rod I fix a notch or metal projection.
On the side of the casing a spring trigger is carried on a centre.
On this trigger
a spring catch or pawl is carried also on a centre. In front of the trigger a pin or
stud is fixed into the casing. On a suitable coin being placed as aforesaid and on
the trigger being pulled the spring catch or pawl engages with the notch or metal
projection on the bar or rod causing the latter to move backwards, and on the other
end of the spring catch or pawl bearing against or engaging the pin or stud fixed
in front of the trigger, the catch or pawl turns on its centre and frees or releases
the bar or rod which is then propelled forward by means of the rear propelling
spring. The subsequent action is the same as is above described with reference to
the first method.
The third of the aforesaid forms or methods of construction I describe as follows.
I provide casings similar to those formerly mentioned. On the side of one of the
cases a hammer is carried on a centre which centre is fixed near the lower part of
the hammer. Near to the centre on which the hammer works a pin or stud is fixed
in the hammer. At the back of the hammer and fixed near the top part of the
rear end of the casing a strong flat propelling spring is provided. This spring
rests normally against a pin or stud fixed on the casing. The front part of the
spring lies contiguous to the back part of the hammer. On the front part of the
casing a light flat recoil spring provided the rear end of which bears against
the fore part of the hammer.
Behind the hammer a spring trigger carried on a centre is provided and is 80
formed that an arm or projection thereof which is fixed above the centre on which
it works lies nearly over or above the piu or stud fixed in the trigger.
On a suitable coin being placed as aforesaid and the trigger being pulled the arm
or projection on the trigger comes into contact with and engages the pin or stud on
the hammer and this action causes the hammer to turn on its centre. The back of
the top part of the hammer then comes into contact with and depresses the fore end
of the flat propelling spring. On the trigger being pulled a certain distance the
arm or projection thereon releases the pin or stud on the hammer and the
propelling spring being thereby freed or released from the pressure put upon it by
the action of the trigger the hammer is propelled forward in a circular direction
and the top part thereof strikes or propels the coin forward. At the same time
the hammer compresses the light recoil spring in front of it and this spring causes
the hammer to return to its normal position. On the trigger being released
by the operator it turns on its centre by means of its spring and its arm or projection
then bears against the pin or stud fixed on the hammer by means of the strong
spring in connection with the trigger the hammer is caused to turn on its centre.
When the trigger has moved a certain distance it releases the pin or stud on the
hammer and the hammer is returned by means of the front recoil spring to its
normal position.
Dated this Thirteenth day of June in the year Eighteen hundred and

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Spring Guns or Pistols for use with Coin Freed
Mechanism.
I, JAMES GILBERT CUMMING, of 2 Merchiston Bank Terrace, Edinburgh, in
the County of Midlothian, North Britain, Engineer, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in the mechanism of the spring gun or
pistol used in combination with the toy shooting range as described in the
Specification of my prior Patent No. 18,830, A.D. 1890.
In order that my invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect I have hereunto appended two explanatory sheets of drawings, in the
several figures of which corresponding parts are marked with the same letters of
reference.
Figure 1 is a plan, while Figure 2 is a side elevation partly in section of one
modification of my improvements.
Figures 3 and 4 are respectively side elevations partly in section of different
modifications of my improvements.
I will first describe the construction of the gun or pistol as shewn in Figures 1
and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
I provide an outer casing which consists of two sides, a top plate, a cover, and
a bottom plate, the whole being of the shape or form of a pistol or gun. To one
of the two sides A of the pistol I attach the working parts of the mechanism as
follows:-Carried on or through bearings B is an upper spindle C, having on the
front end thereof a light spiral recoil spring D, and on the rear end a strong
spiral propelling spring E. The middle or centre of this upper spindle C is of a
flat or square-like shape and is provided with a slot a, through which a pin b is
inserted into the side A of the casing, this pin b, acting as a stop for the propelling
spring E, and the upper or top part F of this upper spindle C acts as a hammer
which strikes the coin on the trigger being pulled, as will be hereafter fully
described. On the lower part of this upper spindle C and near the centre thereof
I provide a projection or pin c which works in a slot a', provided in the front end
of a lower spindle G, which is carried on bearings B. the rear end of this lower
spindle G, passes through the casing at H, and it is provided with a suitable handle
or knob I, and it has also a spiral spring J. On the lower spindle G being pulled
out by the operator the upper spindle C is carried with it through the lower
spindle engaging with the pin c, on the upper spindle C. A spring catch or pawl K
is pivoted to the side A of the casing, and a spring trigger O is also attached to
the side A of the casing. On a suitable coin being placed in the slot or gauge L
of the cover M, and on the lower spindle G being drawn out by means of the
knob or handle I, the upper spindle C is simultaneously drawn back, and when it
has reached its full length the spring catch or pawl enters a notch N provided on
the underside of the flat portion of the upper spindle C and prevents the upper
spindle C returning till the trigger has been pulled. On the trigger O being
pulled it releases the spring catch or pawl K from the notch N and the upper
spindle C is then propelled forward by means of the propelling spring E until it is
stopped by means of the pin b. Simultaneously with the release of the upper
spindle C the hammer F strikes the coin and propels it out of the gun or pistol,
the front recoil spring D causing the upper spindle C to return to its normal
position.
I will now proceed to describe the second modification of my invention as
shewn in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
The outer casing is constructed similar to that already described with reference

page_text: to Figures and 2, and to one of the two sides A of the casing I attach the
working parts of the mechanism as follows:-The spindle C, having on the front
end thereof, a light spiral recoil spring D, and on the rear end a strong spiral
propelling spring E, is carried on suitable bearings B. The centre of this spindle C
is also of flat or square-like shape, and is provided with a slot a through which
the pin is inserted into the side of the casing to act as a stop for the recoil
spring E, and the upper or top part F of this spindle C acts as a hammer for
striking the coin as will be hereafter described. On the side of the casing I
provide a spring trigger O, and on this trigger O is pivoted a spring catch or
pawl K. On a suitable coin being inserted in the slot or gauge L of the cover M
as shewn in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, and on the trigger O being
pulled the spring catch or pawl K engages with the notch or metal projection N
on the underside of the spindle C, causing the latter to move backwards, and on
the other end of the spring catch or pawl K engaging with the pin or stud T
fixed to the casing in front of the trigger O, it (the pawl) releases the spindle C,
which is then propelled forward by means of the rear propelling spring E, and the
hammer coming in contact with the coin propels it forward as already described.
I will now proceed to describe the third modification as shewn in Figure 4 of
the accompanying drawings.
I provide a casing similar to that formerly described with reference to Figures 1
and 2. On the one side of the casing there is a hammer F pivoted at d. This
hammer F has a pin e fixed to it, and at the back of it (the hammer) and fixed
near the top of the casing there is a strong propelling spring E which in its normal
position lies against a pin or stud f. On the front part of the casing I provide a
light flat recoil spring D, the rear end of which bears against the fore part of the
hammer. Behind the hammer F there is a spring trigger O having an arm or
projection o¹ for the purpose to be hereafter described. On a suitable coin being
placed in the slot as aforesaid and the trigger being pulled the arm ог
projection o¹ on the trigger comes in contact with and engages the pin or stud e,
which action causes the hammer F to turn on its centre d. The back of the
upper part of the hammer F then comes in contact with and depresses the fore end
of the flat propelling spring E and the trigger being still pulled the projection o¹
releases the pin or stud e, and the propelling spring E being thereby freed or
released from the pressure put upon it by the action of the trigger, the hammer F
is propelled forward in a circular direction, and the top part thereof strikes the
coin and sends it out as already described. At the same time the hammer F
compresses the light recoil spring D, and this spring causes the hammer to return
to its normal position. On the trigger being released it returns to its normal
position by means of its spring.
It is to be understood that the coin-freeing arrangement similar to that as
described in my prior Patent No. 18,830 A.D. 1890 is applied to each of the pistols
herein described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The general arrangement, construction, and combination of the several parts
constituting my improved gun or pistol, all operating in the manner and for the
purposes substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in Figures 1 and 2 of
the accompanying sheets of drawings.
2. The general arrangement, construction, and combination of the several parts
constituting my improved gun or pistol, all operating in the manner and for the
purposes substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in Figures 1 & 3 of the
accompanying sheets of drawings.
3. The general arrangement, construction and combination of the several parts
constituting my improved gun or pistol, all operating in the manner and for the

page_text: purposes substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in Figures 1 & 4 of the
accompanying sheets of drawings.
Dated this 14th day of March 1892.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.