Abstract: A reciprocating rotor and ratchet assembly wherein the rotor is indexed a certain angle of rotation with each reciprocation of the ratchet member. The assembly includes a housing, the rotor and the ratchet member. The rotor and ratchet member are rotatably located within the housing. The ratchet member includes at least one locking lug and is rotatable between first and second positions relative to housing. The locking lug engages the rotor when the locking lug is rotated in a first direction from the first position to the second position, and causes the rotor to rotate with the locking lug. The locking lug engages the housing when the ratchet member is in the second position and, in this position, the housing maintains the ratchet member in engagement with the rotor in a manner to stop rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: An indexing helical magazine for use with delicate projectiles, such as pellets and paint balls. The magazine has a housing with a helical rib extending partially into the housing. A carrier for the projectiles is rotatably coupled within the housing and guides the projectiles along the helical rib. An end cap coupled to the housing feeds the projectiles from the housing into the gun. A ratchet coupled to the drive member rotates the drive member via interaction with a camming member. The indexing magazine may also include a loading member for disengaging the ratchet and the carrier so that projectiles can be loaded into the carrier. Finally, the magazine may also include a stop member for preventing reverse rotation of the carrier.

Abstract: An improved magazine for fragile projectiles such as pellets or paint balls, wherein the front end of a rotating drive member is formed with elongated fingers to form individual chambers to feed the projectiles one by one out of the magazine synchronously with the firing of the gun. An escapement member operated by some portion of the gun permits rotation of the carrier within the housing of the magazine, one projectile distance at time, to cooperate with the elongated fingers and an exit ramp formed in the front end cap of the magazine. The projectiles do not contact each other radially while in the magazine.

Abstract: An improved dual functioning safety mechanism for all weapons having moveable bolts. The invention permits conventional operation of the safety by a manual lever external of the weapon. The improvement is an arrangement of parts responsive to manual cocking of the bolt to automatically move the safety from the "SAFE" to the "FIRE" position. This enables law enforcement and military personnel to immediately fire upon cocking the weapon without the additional necessary step in conventional weapons of disengaging the safety manually. At the same time, the usual advantages of a manual safety are provided.