GB1588604A - Closing device for the slot through which passes the cocking lever of automatic weapons - Google Patents

Description

(54) CLOSING DEVICE FOR THE SLOT THROUGH WHICH PASSES THE COCKING LEVER OF AUTOMATIC WEAPONS (71) We, FABRIQUE NATIONALE HERSTAL en abrege F.N. Society Anonyme, 4400 Herstal Belgium a body corporate organised and existing under the laws of Belgium do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the process by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention pertains to a closing device for the slot through which passes the cocking lever of an automatic weapon, which slot is provided in the casing of the weapon.

According to the invention, such a closing device comprises a shaped flap provided with a cut-out portion at each of its ends; two posts which are integral with the casing and pass through each of said cut-out portions; and a spring hooked at its ends over said posts and attached in its center to said flap, so as to press the latter against the casing and to stress it towards its closing position of the slot, the flaps being capable of rotation and translation, the maximum amplitude of which is determined by the shape and dimensions of the cut-out portions and by the diameter of the posts.

An embodiment of the invention, by way of example, is described hereinafter in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a weapon which is fitted with the device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows, to a larger scale, that part of Figure 1 which is identified by F2; Figure 3 is a section according to line III III in Figure 2; and Figures 4 and 5 are similar views to that of Figure 2 showing the device in two characteristic operating positions.

In the present case, the weapon shown is an automatic rifle of which the casing I is provided with a slot 2, through which passes a cocking lever 3 which is integral with the moving breach of the weapon as is well known.

The closing device according to the invention consists of a flap 5 provided, close to each of its ends, with a cut-out portion, respectively 6 and 7. Posts, respectively 8 and 9, which are integral with casing l, pass through each of these cut-out portions. Each of the posts is provided with a groove 10, which can be seen in Figure 3.

A spring 11, with bent over ends, is attached to the central part of flap 5 by means of a fixing lug 12 provided on said flap for this purpose. In this manner, spring 11 presses flap 5 against casing I and permanently stresses it towards its closing position of slot 2 (Figure 2). Flap 5 can however perform movements of rotation and of translation, the maximum amplitude of which is determined by the shape and dimensions of cut-out portions 6 and 7, with respect to the diameter of posts 8 and 9.

The front end of flap 5 is provided with a bent over part 13, which is intended to engage lever 3 when the latter is operated, so as to cause flap 5 to swivel in order to free the access to slot 2. During the remainder of the movement, lever 3 engages the lower edge of flap 5 (Figure 5).

By these arrangements, the penetration of foreign matter (dust, mud, sand ...) into casing 1 is prevented, so that the proper operation of the weapon is not impaired.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A closing device for the slot through which passes the cocking lever of an automatic weapon, which slot is provided in the casing of the weapon, which device comprises a shaped flap provided with a cut-out portion at each of its ends; two posts which are integral with the casing and pass through each of said cut-out portions; and a spring hooked at its ends over said posts and attached in its center to said flap, so as to press the latter against the casing and to stress it towards its closing position of the slot, the flaps being capable of rotation and translation, the maximum amplitude of which is determined by the shape and dimensions of the cut-out portions and by the diameter of the posts.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein each of said posts is provided with a groove for receiving the corresponding bent over ends of said spring.

3. A device according to claim 1,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   (54) CLOSING DEVICE FOR THE SLOT THROUGH WHICH PASSES THE COCKING LEVER OF AUTOMATIC WEAPONS (71) We, FABRIQUE NATIONALE HERSTAL en abrege F.N. Society Anonyme, 4400 Herstal Belgium a body corporate organised and existing under the laws of Belgium do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the process by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention pertains to a closing device for the slot through which passes the cocking lever of an automatic weapon, which slot is provided in the casing of the weapon.

   According to the invention, such a closing device comprises a shaped flap provided with a cut-out portion at each of its ends; two posts which are integral with the casing and pass through each of said cut-out portions; and a spring hooked at its ends over said posts and attached in its center to said flap, so as to press the latter against the casing and to stress it towards its closing position of the slot, the flaps being capable of rotation and translation, the maximum amplitude of which is determined by the shape and dimensions of the cut-out portions and by the diameter of the posts.

   An embodiment of the invention, by way of example, is described hereinafter in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a weapon which is fitted with the device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows, to a larger scale, that part of Figure 1 which is identified by F2; Figure 3 is a section according to line III III in Figure 2; and Figures 4 and 5 are similar views to that of Figure 2 showing the device in two characteristic operating positions.

   In the present case, the weapon shown is an automatic rifle of which the casing I is provided with a slot 2, through which passes a cocking lever 3 which is integral with the moving breach of the weapon as is well known.

   The closing device according to the invention consists of a flap 5 provided, close to each of its ends, with a cut-out portion, respectively 6 and 7. Posts, respectively 8 and 9, which are integral with casing l, pass through each of these cut-out portions. Each of the posts is provided with a groove 10, which can be seen in Figure 3.

   A spring 11, with bent over ends, is attached to the central part of flap 5 by means of a fixing lug 12 provided on said flap for this purpose. In this manner, spring 11 presses flap 5 against casing I and permanently stresses it towards its closing position of slot 2 (Figure 2). Flap 5 can however perform movements of rotation and of translation, the maximum amplitude of which is determined by the shape and dimensions of cut-out portions 6 and 7, with respect to the diameter of posts 8 and 9.

   The front end of flap 5 is provided with a bent over part 13, which is intended to engage lever 3 when the latter is operated, so as to cause flap 5 to swivel in order to free the access to slot 2. During the remainder of the movement, lever 3 engages the lower edge of flap 5 (Figure 5).

   By these arrangements, the penetration of foreign matter (dust, mud, sand ...) into casing 1 is prevented, so that the proper operation of the weapon is not impaired.

   WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A closing device for the slot through which passes the cocking lever of an automatic weapon, which slot is provided in the casing of the weapon, which device comprises a shaped flap provided with a cut-out portion at each of its ends; two posts which are integral with the casing and pass through each of said cut-out portions; and a spring hooked at its ends over said posts and attached in its center to said flap, so as to press the latter against the casing and to stress it towards its closing position of the slot, the flaps being capable of rotation and translation, the maximum amplitude of which is determined by the shape and dimensions of the cut-out portions and by the diameter of the posts.
2. 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein each of said posts is provided with a groove for receiving the corresponding bent over ends of said spring.
3. 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the spring is attached by its central part to said flap, by means of a bent over lug which is integral with the latter.
4. 4. A device according to claim l, wherein the front end of the flap has a bent over portion which forms a slanting surface intended to be engaged by the cocking lever, when the latter is being operated.
5. 5. A closing device for the slot through which passes the cocking lever of an automatic weapon, constructed and arranged substantially as described above and as illustrated in the appended drawings.