Projectile propellant apparatus and method

A projectile propellant device comprising:

• (a) an elongated device housing having a first end and bullet end;
• (b) a projecitle mounted in the bullet end of the device housing;
• (c) a compressed gas container containing a sufficient volume of propellant gas at a pressure required for immediately propelling the projectile from the device housing upon release of the gas from the container through a gas release opening, the compressed gas container being mounted in the device housing;
• (d) pyrotechnic charge means positioned at the first end of the device housing for forcing the compressed gas container toward the bullet end of the housing upon detonation;
• and
• (e) puncture means for producing the gas release opening in the compressed gas container as the container is forced toward the bullet end of the housing by the pyrotechnic charge means, the gas release opening enabling the compressed gas to flow into the device housing between the compressed gas container and the projectile to immediately propel the projectile from its position at the bullet end of the housing.

A method of providing compressed gas for propelling a projectile, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) detonating a pyrotechnic charge;
• (b) applying at least a portion of the force from the detonation of the pyrotechnic charge to a container containing a volume of gas compressed sufficiently to immediately propel the projectile upon release of the gas through a gas release opening in the container;
• (c) forming the gas release opening in the container with the force applied to the container from the detonation of the pyrotechnic charge;
• and
• (d) directing the gas from the gas release opening in the container to the projectile to immediately propel the projectile.