Abstract: An injecting dart having an improved barb design and aerodynamics is disclosed. The dart (10) preferably includes a stainless steel needle (12), and a body having a forward section (14) and a tail section (16). A narrow shaft (11) contains and supports the needle (12). The shaft (11) includes an integral, circumferential barb (24) which maintains the dart (10) in the hide of the animal until the dart's contents are fully discharged. The tail section (16) includes several fins (17) to improve aerodynamics, and a plurality of vent holes (38) to permit free movement of the dart's piston, thereby ensuring complete and rapid delivery of the liquid to the animal.

Abstract: An improved clip (15) and method for supplying hygienic projectiles (22) to a ballistic implant gun (10) is disclosed. The clip (15) includes a plurality of cylindrical chambers (20) which each contain a projectile or bioligical bullet (22). The clip (15) also includes indexing means (27) which automatically advance the clip (15) transversely of the gun's housing to supply a projectile (22) to the gun (10) after the preceeding projectile has been discharged. The clip (15) further includes a stop mechanism (14) which notifies the user when all of the bullets (22) have been discharged. This stop mechanism comprises a blocked chamber (14) located at one end of the clip (15) which contains a plurality of tabs (30) therewithin. After the final bullet has been discharged, the blocked chamber (14) can be advanced to align with the gun's firing chamber.

Abstract: An improved clip (15) and method for supplying hygienic projectiles (22) to a ballistic implant gun (10). The clip (15) includes a plurality of cylindrical chambers (20) which each contain a projectile or bioligical bullet (22). The clip (15) also includes indexing recesses (27) which automatically advance the clip (15) transversely of the gun's housing to supply a projectile (22) to the gun (10) after the preceeding projectile has been discharged. The clip (15) further includes a stop mechanism (14) which notifies the user when all of the bullets (22) have been discharged. This stop mechanism comprises a transverse rib (14) located at one end of the clip (15). After the final bullet has been discharged, the rib (14) can be advanced to align with the gun's firing chamber. When the bolt of the gun hits and is stopped by the rib (14), the gun (10) is prevented from further operation until the user replaces the empty clip ( 15) with one containing additional projectiles (22).

Abstract: The invention is directed toward an injecting dart having improved vent and barb designs and reduced weight. The dart (10, 10') preferably includes a needle (12, 12') and a body having a forward section (14, 14') and a tail section (16, 16'). The needle (12, 12') forms an integral barb (24, 24'). In one embodiment (10), the tail section (16) includes several fins (17) with vent holes (38) between adjacent pairs of fins (17). In another embodiment (10') vents are formed by slots (52'), threads (54') and flats (56') on the threads (54'). The integral barb (24, 24') eliminates barb/needle bonding problems. The multiple vent holes (38, 52') permit free movement of the dart's piston, thereby ensuring complete and sufficiently rapid delivery of the liquid to the animal. In one embodiment, (10') the needle (12') is integral with the forward section (14' ) so as to increase the reliability and reduce the weight of the dart (10'). The fins (17') of dart (10') are preferably relieved, also to reduce weight.