Patent ID: 8402643

Claim:
A gas cartridge loading mechanism for attaching a connecting collar of a gas cartridge to a collar retaining portion by displacing the gas cartridge toward the collar retaining portion, the gas cartridge loading mechanism comprising: a sensor member movable along with the gas cartridge in a direction toward the collar retaining portion, the sensor member being mounted to undergo pivotal movement between a locked position and an unlocked position; and a stopper configured to prevent the sensor member from moving in the direction toward the collar retaining portion beyond the stopper when the sensor member is disposed in the locked position, and to allow the sensor member to move in the direction toward the collar retaining portion beyond the stopper when the sensor member is disposed in the unlocked position, wherein the sensor member is configured to move into the locked position when subjected to a pressure of the connecting collar when the gas cartridge is placed in a setting position with a collar notch in the connecting collar offset from a predetermined correct orientation, and to engage with the collar notch of the connecting collar and remain in the unlocked position when the gas cartridge is placed in the setting position with the collar notch aligned with the predetermined correct orientation.