US3821920A

US3821920A - Catch device for an automatic firing weapon

Info

Publication number: US3821920A
Application number: US00379187A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Brieger
Original assignee: Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon Buhrle AG
Current assignee: Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
Priority date: 1972-07-28
Filing date: 1973-07-13
Publication date: 1974-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-02
Also published as: NL158923B; JPS5529359B2; FR2194938B1; GB1392696A; DE2332273C3; DE2332273A1; JPS4945599A; CH556524A; FR2194938A1; BE802511A; NO137659C; NO137659B; SE390061B; DE2332273B2; IT991363B; NL7309540A

Abstract

A catch device for an automatic firing weapon comprising a breechblock which can be displaced from a rearward position into a firing position and a pivotal catch element which, when assuming its catch position, extends into the path of travel of the breechblock and behind which catch element there can engage a blocking element for catching the breechblock shortly prior to reaching its firing position. A second catch element is provided which is engageable from the rear by the blocking element. When the blocking element engages behind the second catch element the latter is moved against the force of a first spring into the path of the breechblock. The first-mentioned catch element, when the blocking element is not engaged therebehind, under the influence of the force of a second spring, extends into the path of the breechblock, and the breechblock is caught by the second catch element at a different location than by the first catch element.

Description

ilnited States Patent [191 [111 3,821,920 Brieger July 2, 1974 CATCH DEVICE FOR AN AUTOMATIC Primary Examiner-Stephen C. Bentley FIRING WEAPON Inventor: Hans Brieger, Zurich, Switzerland Assignee: Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon-Buhrle AG, Zurich, Switzerland Filed: July 13, 1973 Appl. No.: 379,187

Foreign Application Priority Data July 28, 1972 Switzerland 11323/72 U.S. Cl 89/132, 89/136, 89/148,

89/181, 89/190 Int. Cl. F4141 11/02 Field of Search 89/132, 136, 148, 176,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1969 Brieger 89/190 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Werner W. Kleeman [57] ABSTRACT A catch device for an automatic firing Weapon comprising a breechblock which can be displaced from a rearward position into a firing position and a pivotal catch element which, when assuming its catch position, extends into the path of travel of the breechblock and behind which catch element there can engage a blocking element for catching the breechblock shortly prior to reaching its firing position. A second catch e1- ement is provided which is engageable from the rear by the blocking element. When the blocking element engages behind the second catch element the latter is moved against the force of a first spring into the path of the breechblock. The first-mentioned catch element, when the blocking element is not engaged therebehind, under the influence of the force of a second spring, extends into the path of the breechblock,

and the breechblock is caught by the second catch element at a different location than by the first catch element.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Y ID I213 PATENTEDJUL' 2 I91 SHEET 1 m 3 (821,920

ATENTEDJ 21974 sum 3 OF 3 Yap CATCH DEVICE FOR AN AUTOMATIC FIRING WEAPON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved catch device for an automatic gun or firing weapon comprising a breech mechanism or breechblock which is displaceable from a rearward position into a firing position, and further incorporates a pivotal catch element which, in its catch position, extends into the path of movement of the breechblock and a blocking element is engageable behind the catch element for catching the breechblock prior to reaching its firing position.

Upon rupture of the lever the catch device is no longer functional.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hence, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved construction of catch device for an automatic firing weapon which is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art constructions.

Another and more specific object of the present invention aims at the provision of an improved construction of catch device for an automatic firing weapon which ensures that the function of the catch device will be maintained even upon rupture of the aforementioned lever, and additionally avoids recoil of the breechblock when the catch device is not actuated.

Now in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the invention contemplates the provision of a second catch element which can be engaged from behind by the aforesaid blocking element, and when such catch element is engaged it is moved against the force of a first spring into the path of travel of the breechblock. Further, the firstmentioned catch element in the non-engaged condition extends under the influence of the force of a second spring into the path of the breechblock and the breechblock is caught by the second catch element at a different location than by the first catch element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein.

FIG. 1 is an axial longitudinal sectional view through a portion of a firing weapon or gun with the breechblock or breech mechanism located in its firing position;

FIG. 2 illustrates the arrangement of FIG. 1, however with the breechblock or breech mechanism in front of the firing position, i.e. forwardly in the catch position;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, according to the showing of FIG. 1 a bipartite breech mechanism or

breechblock

2, 3 is located in a breechblock housing 1, this bipartite breechblock comprising a breechblock head 2 and a control element 3. The

breechblock

2, 3 is displaceable within the breechblock housing 1. At the control element or member 3 there is secured a firing pin 4. According to the showing of FIGS. 3 and 4, the control element 3, through which extends the vertical longitudinal central plane of the weapon, is displaceably mounted in a recess or chamber 5 of the breechblock head 2 and is in driving connection, through the agency of a respective protuberance or projection 6 (FIG. 4), with a coupling element or piece 7. The coupling element 7 is arranged in a chamber formed by a web 8 of the breechblock head 2 and a side wall of the breechblock housing 1. The coupling element 7 is in driving connection, through the agency of a cam or dog 9, with a respective sleeve 10 arranged externally of the breechblock housing 1. The cam 9 is secured to the associated sleeve 10 and extends through the breechblock housing 1 into an associated recess 11 of the coupling element 7. The recess 11 of the coupling element 7 arranged at the left side of the weapon or gun (viewed in the firing direction thereof) is wider than the cam or dog 9 which engages therein, as best recognized by referring to FIG. 3. At the right side of the weapon the cam 9 engages without play into the recess 11 of such coupling element 7.

As best seen by referring to FIG. 6, each of the sleeves or sleeve members 10 is displaceably mounted in a support or carrier 12. A closing spring 13 arranged internally of its associated sleeve 10 bears at one end at the front of such sleeve 10 and at the other end of the rear of the associated carrier or support 12, which has not been particularly shown in the drawing, and strives to forwardly displace the sleeve 10.

According to the showing of FIG. 6 the carriers or supports 12 are connected by bolts 14 or equivalent fastening expedients with the breechblock housing 1. The breechblock head 2 possesses two recesses 2a in which there are pivotably arranged the respective blocking bolts 15. At the breechblock housing 1 there are provided two recesses 1a having the engagement or arresting surfaces 16.

According to the showing of FIGS. 5 and 6 the front ends of the sleeves 10 each possess a projection or extension 17 at the side directed towards the breechblock housing 1, and each of which projections is bounded towards the front by a surface 18 directed perpendicular to the central plane of the weapon and by a surface 19 disposed parallel to such central plane. At the sleeves there is milled or otherwise suitably machined a surface which connects both

surfaces

18, 19 and serves as a stop.

The breechblock housing 1 possesses at its underside a notched or cut-in portion 21 which is bounded at the rear by a surface 22 directed perpendicular to the central plane of the weapon. At the region of the base or floor surface 23 of the breechblock housing 1 there is cut-in a groove 24 into such breechblock housing 1. The plane of symmetry of the front portion of the groove 24 and the central plane of the breechblock housing 1 coincide. A tapered or narrowed portion of the groove 24 is bounded by a surface 25 which coincides with the central plane of the breechblock housing 1. The groove 24 possesses at its rear end a widened portion 26 having a surface 27. The surface 27 is located in a plane which, together with the longitudinal central plane of the weapon, encloses an acute angle.

A slot 28 is milled or otherwise appropriately machined into the breechblock housing 1 from the left side surface. The plane of symmetry of the slot 28 opening into the groove 24 is perpendicular to the longitudinal central plane of the weapon. A catch element 29 constructed as a double-arm lever is arranged in the slot 28 and rotatably mounted upon a pivot pin or axle 30. A bushing 31 is displaceably mounted in a blindhole bore 33 of an arm 32 of the catch lever 29. Bushing 31 is loaded by a spring 34 which bears at the base of the bore 33 and extends out of the lever. Due to the pressure of the spring 33 the lever arm 32 and the bushing 31 bear against both

surfaces

25 and 27 of the breechblock housing 1. A surface 35 of the lever 29, in its rest position, is in alignment with a wall of the groove 24.

The lever arm 36 of the catch lever 29 extends out of the slot 28 and into the displacement path of the sleeve 10, as best seen by referring to FIG. 6. The arm 36 possesses a surface 37 located in a plane which encloses together with the longitudinal central plane of the weapon an acute angle of the same magnitude as the plane containing the surface 20 of the sleeve 10. Furthermore, the surface 37 is located perpendicular to the base or floor surface 23 of the breechblock housing 1. The catch lever 29 possesses a bevelled or inclined surface 38 which becomes wider from the rear towards the front and connects the inner surface 35 with the lower surface.

As clearly shown in FIG. 7, a blocking lever 39 is provided which possesses the same width as the groove 24 and is arranged therein. Blocking lever 39 is pivotably mounted upon a pivot pin or axle 40 which is secured in the breechblock housing 1. The blocking lever 39 possesses an upwardly depending extension or projection 42 and two side surfaces which are parallel to the central plane of the weapon. A bushing 43 is displaceably mounted in a blindhole bore 44 of the blocking lever 39. Bushing 43 extends out of the bore 44 and bears, under the pressure of a spring 45 arranged therein, at the base surface 46 of the groove 24 of the breechblock housing 1. The blocking lever 39 is held by the spring 45 to bear with its surface 47 at the groove surface 46 and thus is retained in its rest position.

The breechblock housing 1 possesses a bore 48 which opens into its right side surface and into the groove 24. The axis of this bore 48 is perpendicular to the central plane of the weapon and is located in the longitudinal symmetry plane of the slot 28. The bore 48 is stepped in diameter, wherein the section 48a with the larger diameter is located at the region of the groove 24. A bolt 49 is displaceably mounted in bore 48. According to the showing of FIG. 6, the end surface of the bolt end which extends into the groove 24 is bevelled or inclined, so that the bevelled surface 50 located beneath the axis of the bolt is located in a plane which encloses an acute angle with the longitudinal central plane of the weapon. A biased or stressed spring 53 which is arranged in the bore 48 between a bore offset or recessed portion 51 and a shoulder 52 of the bolt 49 presses the bolt 29, with its lowermost portion of the bevelled surface 50, against the upper edge of the extension or projection 42 of the blocking lever 39. An end surface 490 of the bolt 29 is in alignment with the right side wall of the breechblock housing 1. This bolt end possesses a bevelled or inclined surface 54 which together with the central plane of the weapon encloses an angle of the same magnitude as the surface 37 of the catch lever 29. The intersection lines of the planes, in which

such surfaces

37 and 54 lie, together with the longitudinal central plane of the weapon, are perpendicular to the base surface 23 of the breechblock housing 1. A pin 56 arranged in a bore of the breechblock housing 1 engages with a longitudinal groove 57 of the bolt 49 and prevents rotation thereof about its longitudinal axis.

The breechblock housing 1 is mounted in any suitable and therefore not particularly illustrated manner at a rocker or balance designated by reference character 58 in FIG. 7. A hydraulic cylinder 59 possesses two parallel walls 60 connected with the rocker or balance 58. Two identical double-arm angle levers 61 are pivotably mounted at two parallel pivot pins or axles 62. The arms 63 of the levers 61 are articulated with the pivot pins or axles 64 which are connected with the legs of a U-shaped rail 65. A blindhole bore 66 of the cylinder 59 is closed by a sealing screw 67. The piston rod 69 of a piston 68 arranged in the cylinder compartment or bore 66 of the cylinder 59 extends through the floor of such cylinder towards the outside. A rectangular coupling element 70 is connected with the piston rod 69 and possesses a slot 71 and a shaft or axle 72 which extends through the slot 71. A cylindrical extension or projection 74 of a bifurcated or forked member 73 is threadably connected with the coupling element 70. A shaft or axle 75 is connected with the bifurcated member 73. The arms 76 of the angle levers 61 are parallel and hingedly connected or articulated with the shafts or axles 72 and 75, as shown. A restoring or return spring 77 is spanned between a transverse wall 78 connected with the side walls 60 and the coupling element 70. The bifurcated member 73 bears under the pressure of the spring 77 against the transverse wall 78. The longitudinal central planes of the U-shaped rail 65 and the groove 24 of the breechblock housing 1 coincide. The top or cover surface 79 of the rail 65 is parallel to the bottom or base surface 23 of the breechblock housing 1 and is at a small spacing therefrom and the blocking lever 39.

A two-way valve 80 is operatively connected into a hydraulic circuit and can be actuated by a switching or control lever 81. In the rest position (FIG. 7) the vaive 80 flow communicates an annular or ring-shaped compartment 82 appearing between the piston 68 and the sealing screw 67 with a tank 83. Furthermore, a line or conduit 84 containing pressurized oil or another suitable medium is operatively connected with the valve 80, and with the conduit 84 there is operatively connected a pressure limiting valve 85.

Having now had the benefit of the foregoing description of the construction of the invention its mode of operation will now be considered and is as follows:

During series firing and at the end of forward advance of the breechblock body the breechblock head 2 is located in the breechblock housing 1 at the location designated by reference character 86 in FIG. 1. The control element 3 moves further and displaceably controls the blocking bolts 15 towards the outside, so that such bear at the surfaces 16 of the breechblock housing I and block the breechblock head 2 against movement towards the rear. The control element 3 controls the blocking bolts 15 and prevents such from departing from the blocking position, as the same has been depicted in FIG. 2. With this position according to the showing of FIG. 2 the control element 3 has not yet reached its fowardmost position. The tip of the firing pin 4 is still located behind the base of a cartridge or shell 89 which has been introduced through the breechblock head 2 into the cartridge chamber of the firing barrel 90 of the weapon and the front ends of the sleeves assume the position depicted in FIG. 6. The surface 20 of the sleeve 10 arranged at the left of the weapon (viewed in the firing direction) bears against the surface 37 of the catch lever 29 serving as the catch element, so that the same is rocked about the axle or pin 30 in the clockwise direction. The left side sleeve 10 is retarded or delayed in relation to the coupling element 7 which moves further along with the control element 3 and also is delayed with regard to the right side sleeve 10, so that the dog or cam 9 in the recess 11 moves towards the rear against its wall 87. When the control element 3 has reached the firing position of FIG. 1 then the firing pin 4 penetrates the nondepicted firing cap of the shell 89 and the control element 3 impacts against the breechblock head 2. At the moment of impact the end surface 18 of the sleeve 10 arranged at the right side of the weapon is located directly behind the surface 91 of its carrier or support 12, whereas the surface 18 of the left side sleeve 10 still possesses a small spacing from the corresponding surface of its support 12. In the event that the control element 3, after impact, carries out a recoil motion with regard to the breechblock head 2, then such comes to standstill when the still forwardly moving left side sleeve 10 impacts with its cam 9 against the front boundary or wall 88 of the recess 11 of the coupling element 7 connected with the control element 3. The left side sleeve 10 thus functions as a post-impact mass which prevents that the control element 3 will recoil such an extent that the blocking bolts 15 are no longer controlled. The rotating catch element 29 impacts against the surface 27 of the breechblock housing I, whereupon it is moved back again towards the starting position by the spring 34. The catch element 29 reaches the starting position after the front end of the sleeve 10, which moves towards the rear under the driving force of a non-illustrated plunger, has passed the position depicted in FIG. 6.

For the purpose of securing the firing weapon against unintentional firing of a shot during a disturbance the valve 80 is adjusted by means of the switching or control lever 81, so that the annular compartment 82 of the cylinder is flow connected with the conduit 84 and the piston 68 together with the coupling element 70 and the bifurcated member 73 are moved towards the left (viewed in the showing of FIG. 7). Consequently, both of the levers 61 are rocked about the pins or axles 62 and the U-shaped rail 65 is raised. This rail 65 then comes into contact with the blocking lever 39 and pivots such about the pin or axle 40. The blocking lever 39 which acts upon the surface 50 of the bolt 49 presses such against the pressure of the spring 53 towards the outside, out of the groove 24. When the piston 68 has reached its extreme forward position then the bolt 49, defining a further catch element, is completely engaged from behind by the extension or projection 42 of the blocking lever 39. The other end of the catch bolt 49 with the bevelled surface 54 extends out of the breechblock housing 1 into the path of the assoicated sleeve 10, as such has been depicted in phantom lines in FIG. 5.

By means of the lever extension or projection 42 the catch element 29 is also engaged from behind and in the event that such has previously entered the groove 24 such is moved out of the groove 24 into the position of FIG. 6 due to travel onto the surface 38.

The breechblock head 2 of the breechblock moving towards the firing position reaches its forwardmost position and afterwards the surface 18 of the left side sleeve 10 impacts against the surface 37 of the catch lever 29.

The control element 3, however, moves faster towards the front together with the right side sleeve 10, until the surface 87 of the coupling element 7 impacts against the dog or cam 9 of the left sleeve 10 which previously has been stopped by the lever 29 and thus the control element 3 is caught in a position in which the tip of the firing pin 4 is still located behind the base of the shell or cartridge 89 which has been introduced into the cartridge chamber. At the end of the movement of the right side sleeve 10 its surface 18, which has been shown in phantom lines in FIG. 6, is located directly behind the bevelled surface 54 of the bolt 49. Upon rupture of the catch lever 29 the catch bolt 49 can thus catch the control element 3 and prevent that the shell 89 in the cartridge chamber will be fired.

With renewed adjustment of the valve the compartment or chamber 82 of the cylinder 59 is again flow connected with the tank 83 and the catch device is returned back into the starting position under the influence of the springs 45, S3 and 77, in which its

components

39, 49, 65, 68 assume the positions depicted in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,

What is claimed is:

1. A catch device for an automatic firing weapon comprising a breechblock displaceable from a rear position into a firing position, a pivotal first catch element which when assuming its catch position extends into the path of travel of the breechblock, a blocking ele ment which can engage the catch element from behind for catching the breechblock shortly prior to reaching its firing position, a second catch element which can be engaged from behind by the blocking element, a first spring and a second spring, said second catch element, when the blocking element is engaged therebehind, being moved against the force of the first spring into the path of the breechblock, said first catch element, when the blocking element does not engage therebehind, extending under the force of the second spring into the path of the breechblock, said breechblock being caught by the second catch element at a different location than by the first catch element.

2. The catch device as defined in claim 1, further including means incorporating intermediate elements for hydraulically engaging the blocking element behind the associated catch elements.

3. The catch device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first catch element comprises a double-arm lever, the breechblock having a stop, one arm of the double-arm lever cooperating with said stop of the breechblock, means defining a stationary surface, the other arm of the double-arm lever being supported via the second spring at said stationary surface.

4. The catch device as defined in claim 1, wherein both catch elements have inclined surfaces and are displaceable and engageable from behind via said inclined surfaces and by means of said blocking element.

5. The catch device as defined in claim 1, wherein the breechblock is caught by the first catch element at a location removed further from the firing position than by the second catch element.

6. The catch device as defined in claim 1, wherein the second catch element comprises a bolt member displaceable substantially perpendicular to the displacement path of the breechblock.

7. The catch device as defined in claim 2, wherein said hydraulically engaging means includes a piston rod and a hydraulic cylinder, said intermediate elements comprising a first intermediate element in the form of a displaceable rail supported at the blocking element, the further intermediate elements comprising two similar double-arm angle levers which are arranged substantially in parallelism with one another, one of their respective arms being hinged with said rail and the other of their arms with said piston rod of said hydraulic cylinder.

Claims

1. A catch device for an automatic firing weapon comprising a breechblock displaceable from a rear position into a firing position, a pivotal first catch element which when assuming its catch position extends into the path of travel of the breechblock, a blocking element which can engage the catch element from behind for catching the breechblock shortly prior to reaching its firing position, a second catch element which can be engaged from behind by the blocking element, a first spring and a second spring, said second catch element, when the blocking element is engaged therebehind, being moved against the force of the first spring into the path of the breechblock, said first catch element, when the blocking element does not engage therebehind, extending under the force of the second spring into the path of the breechblock, said breechblock being caught by the second catch element at a different location than by the first catch element.