EP1247056B1 - Barrel for a repeating weapon and repeating weapon with a barrel of this type - Google Patents

Abstract

Barrels, a breech structured to interact with such barrel(s), and firearms incorporating such barrels and breech are disclosed. The barrels include a cartridge chamber having an internal surface with a curvature. They also include a guide element located adjacent to and extending away from the cartridge chamber. The guide element is located at a point where a transverse movement of a cartridge being loaded ends during a loading process. The guide element has a surface having a circular shape whose curvature corresponds to the curvature of the internal surface of the cartridge chamber.

Description

The invention relates to a self-loading weapon according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a weapon is known from the Czechoslovak pistol CZ 1922 in 6.35 mm caliber.

• DE 195 01 397 A1
• DE 82 32 810 U1
• US 59 83 773.

The following publications form the starting point:

• DE 195 01 397 A1
• DE 82 32 810 U1
• US 59 83 773.

The positional terms used here, such as "front", "top", "left" etc., refer to a weapon correctly positioned when a horizontal shot is fired, the direction of the shot being forward. The same applies to directions ("to the front", "to the top", "to the left" etc.).

In general, in the case of multi-loading weapons, the cartridges are transferred individually from a supply, such as a magazine or cartridge belt, to the cartridge chamber. For this purpose, they are first brought into or from the storage in a transfer position and from there, for example from the breech, pushed into the cartridge chamber.

The section of the weapon barrel containing the cartridge chamber can be designed as an integral part of the barrel or, as known from revolver weapons, as a separate component. The number of transfer positions is mostly due to the type of storage. For example, there is Zigzag magazines with two transfer positions next to each other.

The transfer position (s) are usually not immediately behind the weapon barrel or the cartridge chamber. Instead, they are often arranged below the cartridge chamber or offset laterally (such lateral displacements are absolutely necessary if several transfer positions are provided next to each other). As a rule, a cartridge must travel a design-related intermediate distance between a transfer position and the cartridge chamber. At the same time during this movement, hereinafter referred to as the feed movement, the position of the cartridge that is too low or laterally offset must be corrected to such an extent that it can be inserted into the cartridge chamber. For this purpose, in addition to a movement in the longitudinal direction of the weapon, the cartridge must also make a movement transversely to it, i.e. be moved in the transverse direction of the weapon and / or pivoted sideways. The latter means that in many cases the cartridge is in an inclined position when it reaches the weapon barrel, more precisely when its tip slides into the chamber. The cartridge is then aligned horizontally by pushing it further into the cartridge chamber.

In order to guide the cartridges on the respective path, guide elements are provided on the weapon barrel or generally on fixed components of the weapon in known multi-loading weapons, for example so-called “lips” on the magazine. In addition, millings on the receptacle of the cartridge chamber are also known, which are intended to facilitate the threading of the cartridges into the cartridge chamber. Such millings, however, have the disadvantage that the cartridge case at this point no longer bears against the inner wall of the cartridge chamber when the cartridge is fully inserted into it. This can lead to "inflation", ie bulging, of the sleeve when the cartridge is fired if the wall thickness at the point in question is too small due to a material defect or unsuitable ammunition is. The risk of jamming or bursting of the sleeves in the cartridge chamber and the resulting escapement or danger to the rifle is then significantly greater.

The above-mentioned generic gun barrel by the applicant has been found to be a cheap solution (DE 195 01 397 A1): adjoining this is a feed ramp for guiding the cartridges, which at least partially bridges the distance between the cartridge supply and the cartridge chamber and is designed as a separate component is.

The surface of the feed ramp has one or more guide grooves in which the cartridges are guided from their transfer position into the cartridge chamber. They slide, for example, from a lower position (relative to the chamber) in a slightly inclined position so that their tip "dips" exactly into the chamber.

Overall, the applicant's solution has proven itself many times in practice. However, for a trouble-free loading process, it requires precise manufacture of the feed ramp or guide grooves.

Against this background, the invention is based on the object of specifying a further possibility of providing a reliable cartridge feed for a multi-loading weapon.

The invention solves this problem with the subject matter of claim 1, that is to say with a weapon barrel of the type mentioned at the beginning, in which the guide element is arranged essentially where the intended feed movement of the cartridges in the transverse direction of the weapon ends during the loading process.

The guide element according to the invention thus limits the transverse movement of the cartridges on their way from the transfer position into the chamber. In relation to the central axis of the cartridge chamber, it is arranged essentially on the side opposite the transfer position.

The guide element according to the invention thus has a different function than the feed ramp known from the prior art. The latter creates a physical transition for the cartridges from the transfer position to the cartridge chamber. The guide element according to the invention, on the other hand, counteracts a transverse movement of the cartridges that goes beyond the intended dimension, for example, setting them up (so-called pikes). Excessive transverse movements can lead to twisting and thus jamming of the cartridges during the loading process and, in particular, can occur with multi-loading weapons that have only simple transitions, such as the magazine lips or cutouts mentioned at the beginning. The weapon barrel according to the invention is therefore particularly advantageously used in multi-load weapons in which - for cost or manufacturing reasons, for example - precise transitions have to be dispensed with. The susceptibility to failure of such weapons during the loading process can then be significantly reduced with the aid of the invention. Equally, however, the weapon barrel according to the invention is also suitable for increasing the robustness of the multi-load weapon even further in the case of precisely designed transitions (for example in the manner of the solution mentioned by the applicant).

In addition, the invention can in principle also be used advantageously for weapons in which the transfer position is immediately behind the weapon barrel or cartridge chamber. With such weapons, a transverse movement of the cartridges is not provided and is therefore not desired. Such undesirable transverse movements of the cartridges can then be prevented by the guide element according to the invention.

Due to the special arrangement of the guide element, the present invention deviates from the traditional design of known gun barrels. So far, the area has been sought Keep as clear as possible before taking up the cartridge chamber in order to ensure that the sleeve ejection is as trouble-free as possible. It would have been expected when using the guide element arranged according to the invention that an increased number of loading inhibitions due to jamming during sleeve ejection would have to be accepted. However, initial practical tests have shown that this is not the case, but that the advantages of the invention come into play without negative side effects.

The weapon barrel according to the invention can in principle be used in any type of multi-load weapon in a conventional design. In individual cases, however, it may be advantageous or necessary to constructively adapt individual components of the multi-load weapon to the new weapon barrel. Therefore, in addition to the weapon barrel, the invention also relates to a multi-loading weapon, in particular a self-loading weapon, with such a weapon barrel.

In principle, the guide element according to the invention can be designed as a separate component and attached to the weapon barrel via a fixed or detachable connection. However, the guide element preferably represents an integral part of the weapon barrel (according to claim 2), that is to say it is produced with it from a block of material.

In many cases, especially in the case of handguns with a rod magazine, the transfer position (s) of the cartridges are located below the cartridge chamber. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the guide element is arranged above the cartridge chamber (according to claim 3). Likewise, in the case of multi-loading weapons in which the transfer position (s) is arranged above the cartridge chamber, it is expedient to arrange the guide element below the cartridge chamber.

The guide element can also be arranged such that its relative position, as seen in the circumferential direction of the cartridge chamber, is offset from a pull-out element attached to the breech (according to claim 4). In this way it is ensured that the function of the pull-out element, for example a pull-out claw, is not impaired by the guide element. At the same time, the guide element is therefore usually not in the ejection direction of the sleeves.

If necessary, the guide element can also be designed in several parts. A plurality of guide elements can also be provided, which are then preferably distributed over the circumference of the tube.

As stated above, the weapon barrel according to the invention is in principle suitable for advantageously supporting any type of cartridge feed of known multi-loading weapons. In a preferred embodiment, a feed element is additionally provided which extends in the direction of the rear weapon part, is arranged essentially opposite the guide element with respect to the central axis of the cartridge chamber, and is intended to cooperate with the guide element when guiding the cartridges (according to Claim 5). The feed element is preferably designed as an integral part of the weapon barrel.

The feed element is preferably further designed such that further means for guiding the cartridges on said intermediate section are no longer required in the case of the multi-loading weapon in question. The cartridge feed is then accomplished solely by the interaction of the feed element with the guide element according to the invention.

For an improved cartridge supply, it is further provided that the guide element and / or optionally (if present) the feed element are designed in such a way that his / her inner surface (s) at least with respect to the central axis of the cartridge chamber sections run obliquely in such a way that the distance of the inner surface (s) to the central axis decreases towards the front (according to claim 6). It is advantageous if the inner surface (s) flow smoothly into the inner wall of the cartridge chamber. If a feed element is present, the inner surfaces of the two elements preferably converge in a wedge shape.

In addition, it is provided that the guide element and / or, if applicable, the feed element is configured in such a way that its inner surface (s) has (have) a cross-section (s) in the form of a segment of a circle, ie is / are curved, at least in sections. The curvature of the circle segment (s) preferably corresponds to the radius of the cartridge chamber (according to claim 7).

The above-described configurations of the inner surface (s) of the guide element or of the feed element (bevel and curvature) represent preferred measures to promote a trouble-free sliding of the cartridge into the cartridge chamber. A combination of the two measures is particularly advantageous, since the cartridge can “break out” of the intended way even more effectively.

The inner surfaces of the guide element and the feed element can also converge in a conical shape, that is to say they can each be designed as a segment of a common funnel. The cone shape can then advantageously be worked on during the turning operation on the weapon barrel.

From what has been said so far, it can be seen that the guide element according to the invention and the associated feed element are primarily intended to ensure a cartridge feed that is as trouble-free as possible. Basically, the guide element, in particular in interaction with the feed element, is also suitable for closing the breech (or possibly breech head) when closing the cartridge chamber in relation to it to center. Therefore, the applicant also reserves independent protection for a weapon barrel according to claim 1, which fulfills the said centering function and preferably also has one or more features of claims 2 to 7. Of course, the design of the closure must then be adapted so that the feed element can fulfill the centering function.

The above statements regarding the barrel also apply in full to the multi-loading weapon according to the invention, namely a multi-loading weapon, in particular a self-loading weapon, with a weapon barrel, in which the cartridges are fed to the weapon barrel during the loading process and thereby move in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the weapon, and in which the weapon barrel has a cartridge chamber for receiving the cartridges and a guide element adjacent to the cartridge chamber, the guide element extending in the direction of the rear weapon part and being designed such that it guides the cartridges and is arranged essentially where the intended transverse movement the cartridges end while charging.

The above statements regarding the weapon barrel also apply to the advantageous embodiments of the multi-loading weapon according to the invention.

Fig. 1

ein Schrägbild eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Waffenrohres;

Fig. 2

ein Schrägbild eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Waffenrohres;

Fig. 3

ein (nicht maßstäblicher) Teil-Längsschnitt durch eine Maschinenpistole mit dem Waffenrohr aus Fig. 2 in Einbaulage und einem zugehörigen Verschluß;

Fig. 4

ein (nicht maßstäbliches) Schrägbild des Verschlusses aus Fig. 3.

The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. The attached drawing shows:

Fig. 1

an oblique view of a first embodiment of the weapon barrel according to the invention;

Fig. 2

an oblique view of a second embodiment of the weapon barrel according to the invention;

Fig. 3

a (not to scale) partial longitudinal section through a submachine gun with the weapon barrel from FIG. 2 in the installed position and an associated breech;

Fig. 4

a (not to scale) oblique image of the closure from FIG. 3.

Fig. 1 shows a (only partially shown) barrel 3 of a self-loading weapon, not shown, with a cartridge chamber 5 and a (not shown) projectile bore. The cartridge chamber 5 is located in the rear section 1 of the barrel 3 and opens out into the projectile bore so that the central axis of the cartridge chamber 5 corresponds to the core axis of the barrel 3. The cartridge chamber 5 is used to hold cartridges (not shown).

The barrel 3 also has a guide element 7 which sits on an end face 9 of the barrel 3 and is an integral part of the same. The guide element 7, which is referred to below as the "guide nose", is arranged above the cartridge chamber 5 and extends (in the longitudinal direction of the weapon) to the rear. The guide lug 7 has an inner surface 7a which is slightly curved in accordance with the radius of the cartridge chamber 5 and merges smoothly into the cartridge chamber 5 in a slight incline.

Furthermore, the barrel 3 is equipped with a feed element 11, which is referred to below as the "feed ramp". The feed ramp 11 has an inner surface 11a which is slightly curved in accordance with the radius of the cartridge chamber 5, seen in the longitudinal direction essentially stepped into two differently sloping sections 11a 'and 11a' 'and merges smoothly into the cartridge chamber 5.

Furthermore, the barrel 3 has a cutout 13 for a pull-out claw (not shown) of the lock belonging to the barrel 3 (not shown).

The radii of curvature of the inner surfaces 7a and 11a correspond to those of the inner diameter of the cartridge chamber 5 in order to create the most harmonious possible transition between the inner surfaces 7a, 11a and the cartridge chamber 5. This ensures trouble-free insertion of the cartridges into the cartridge chamber 5.

Due to the inclined configuration of the inner surface 7a and the front portion 11a 'of the inner surface 11a (the inclination is approximately 8 degrees with respect to the central axis of the cartridge chamber 5), the two surfaces continuously approach each other in the longitudinal direction of the weapon. They form a kind of "beak" for better absorption of the cartridges. Due to the curved design of the inner surfaces 7a, 11a, these additionally function as guide grooves in order to hold the cartridges in a straight line in the direction of the cartridge chamber 5.

The cartridge feed works in the present example as follows: after the case has been ejected, a new cartridge is pushed from the transfer position (not shown) in the direction of the cartridge chamber 5 by the reloading movement of the closure. The relative position of the transfer position lies below the cartridge chamber 5, so that the tip of the cartridge runs onto the rear section 11a ″ (the inner surface 11a). The cartridge is thereby lifted and directed upwards in the direction of the cartridge chamber 5 by the slope of this section 11a ″. Finally, the cartridge tip hits the inner surface 7a (the guide lug 7) and thereby tilts with the tip down into a more horizontal position, in which it comes to rest on the first section 11a 'of the inner surface 11a and then fully inserted into the cartridge chamber 5 becomes.

In reality, the cartridge feed runs in fractions of a second during the loading process. Hence the above description to be understood only as a greatly simplified visual model. The cartridges do not always strike the section 11a ″ or the inner surface 7a at exactly the same point. At high reloading speeds, individual cartridges can even bounce off the feed ramp 11 and then hit the inner surface 7a relatively far to the rear (such as the spikes mentioned at the beginning). Such "outliers" would miss the cartridge chamber 5 in the absence of the guide lug 7, lay transversely in front of the cartridge chamber 5 or in front of the end face 9 and thus cause an inhibition of loading. In conventional weapon barrels or barrels (without a guide element such as the guide nose 7), such outliers must be counteracted with correspondingly complex feed elements. This problem is exacerbated in the case of relatively short and / or flat-headed cartridges, since these can miss the cartridge chamber 5 even more easily due to the greater inclined position or the flat tip.

An advantage of the barrel 3 according to the invention is thus that the interaction of the guide lug 7 with the feed ramp 11 allows the latter to be designed in a relatively simple manner without having to accept increased inhibitions of loading. With the same reliability of the weapon, this reduces the manufacturing effort and thus the manufacturing costs. At the same time, a guide element according to the invention, such as the guide lug 7, is also advantageously used in known barrels or multi-load weapons with precisely designed feed elements, since this increases the robustness of the respective multi-load weapon against inhibitions of loading.

From what has been said so far, it also follows that the guide lug 7 limits the transverse movement of the cartridges upwards, so that they cannot move further upwards than intended in the transverse direction of the weapon. The guide lug 7 "catches" cartridges that threaten to miss the cartridge chamber 5 and guides them when they strike the inner surface 7a Direction of the cartridge chamber 5. In cooperation with the feed ramp 11, a cartridge feeder is created which directs the cartridges into the intended path and holds them there immediately after they have left their transfer position (s). Therefore, no further feed elements are required apart from the feed ramp 11.

Since the cartridges are first guided through the feed ramp 11 and the function of the guide lug is mainly limited to said collecting, the guide lug 7 can generally be made shorter than the feed ramp 11. From the example it can be seen that the guide element according to the invention generally takes up relatively little space as a result and therefore has practically no disruptive effect on other processes, in particular the sleeve ejection.

From the example it can further be seen that, due to the presence of the guide nose 7, milled recesses on the receptacle of the cartridge chamber 5 are not required. As a result, the sleeves of the cartridges lying in the cartridge chamber 5 lie completely against the inner wall of the cartridge chamber 5. There is therefore no danger that they will be inflated during the firing process (as already described).

2 to 4 show a further barrel 3 'according to the invention, which essentially corresponds to the barrel 3 in its design and function. The only differences are the differently designed external transition between section 1 and the rest of the barrel 3 ', as well as the different design and slightly modified arrangement of the cutout 13' for the (not shown) pull-out claw of an associated lock 17.

Fig. 3 shows the barrel 3 'in the installed position in a submachine gun 15 with the breech 17, which closes the cartridge chamber 5 from behind. The breech 17 shown separately in FIG. 4 is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the weapon stored and can thus perform a reload movement in a known manner when loading or after firing a cartridge.

In FIG. 4 it can be seen that the closure 17 has on its front surface 19, in addition to various other recesses (which are not to be explained in more detail here), a groove 21 which extends continuously from a point above a push floor 23 to the bottom of the closure 17 extends and serves as a clearance for the guide lug 7 and the feed ramp 11 (see also Fig. 3). The function of the closure 17 is therefore not restricted and, particularly in this area, there is also no need to adapt the design to the newly designed barrel 3 '. The example also shows that the longitudinal dimensions of the weapon generally do not have to be increased for the use of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. A barrel (3; 3') for a repeating weapon (15), in particular a self-loading arm, in which the cartridges are supplied to the barrel during the loading operation and in so doing move in the longitudinal and transverse direction of the weapon, having:

   a) a cartridge chamber (5) for receiving the cartridges; and

   b) a guide element (7) adjacent to the cartridge chamber, which extends in the direction of the rear weapon part and is configured in such a manner that it guides the cartridges, wherein

   c) the guide element (7) is disposed substantially in the place where the provided transverse movement of the cartridges during the loading operation ends, and

   d) the guide element (7) is configured in such a manner that its internal surface (7a), at least in sections, comprises a cross section shaped as a circular segment, characterised in that

   e) the curvature of the circular segment corresponds to the radius of the cartridge chamber (5).
2. A barrel according to Claim 1, in which the guide element (7) is constructed as an integral component of the barrel.
3. A barrel according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the guide element (7) is disposed above the cartridge chamber (5).
4. A barrel according to one of the preceding Claims, in which the relative position of the guide element (7), seen in the circumferential direction of the cartridge chamber (5), is offset in relation to an extractor element mounted on the breech (17).
5. A barrel according to one of the preceding Claims, having a feed element (11) adjacent to the cartridge chamber, which extends in the direction of the rear weapon part, is disposed substantially opposite the guide element (7) with respect to the central axis of the cartridge chamber (5), and is configured in such a manner that it cooperates with the guide element (7) when the cartridges are guided.
6. A barrel according to one of the preceding Claims, in which the guide element (7) and/or possibly the feed element (11) is/are configured in such a manner that its/their internal face/faces (7a; 11) runs/run obliquely in relation to the central axis of the cartridge chamber (5), at least in some portions, specifically so that the distance of the internal surface(s) to the central axis decreases towards the front.
7. A barrel according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the feed element (11) comprises a cross section shaped as a circular segment, the curvature of which corresponds to that of the cartridge chamber.
8. A barrel according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the guide element (7) and/or the feed element (11) makes a continuous transition into the cartridge chamber (5).