DE102021126031A1 - Ammunition belt and corresponding ammunition guide - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses an ammunition belt (6) for cartridges (7), with belt links (8) into which the cartridges can be accommodated. The belt links (8) each have belt loops (11) and belt hooks (12) which can engage in one another and connect the belt links (8). The belt links (8) have at least one lower hook (10) and/or at least one upper hook (9), which are arranged to the side of a longitudinal direction of the ammunition belt (6). Furthermore, an ammunition guide (4) for the ammunition belt (6) is disclosed, with a guide rail (1) in which the ammunition belt (6) can be mounted in a longitudinally movable manner. The guide rail (1) has a bottom bar (13) on which the cartridges (7) of the ammunition belt (6) can be placed. The guide rail (1) has at least one lower guide rod (5) and a first and a second lateral guide rod (15, 23) over which the belt links (8) can be guided. According to the invention, a guide element (2) is arranged on at least one of the guide rods (5, 15, 23), which forms a support (18) on which the belt links (8) can be supported via the upper or lower hooks (9, 10). .

Description

The present invention relates to an ammunition belt and a corresponding ammunition guide. Ammunition belts are used in automatic weapon systems, where the ammunition used is supplied as an ammunition belt.

The ammunition belt used is generally guided from the magazine to the weapon via an ammunition guide. The ammunition has to be deflected, since the barrel of the weapon is often oriented differently than the position of the ammunition belt in the magazine. This requires an ammunition guide that simulates these deflections and guides the ammunition belt to the weapon accordingly.

In some cases, the ammunition belt has to be deflected via the vertical axis of the belt in order to transport the ammunition to the weapon, e.g. the MK30-2.

A corresponding ammunition belt is, for example, from the DE 33 36 192 A1 known. In this case, the cartridges are accommodated in a belt sleeve, these belt sleeves being connected to one another via claws.

Likewise, AT 62190 B discloses an ammunition belt. In both ammunition belts, the individual cartridges and belt sleeves are movably connected to one another, with the cartridges only being partially accommodated in the belt sleeves.

A belt guide, as is known from the prior art, is for example DE 29 48 685 A1 disclosed. A channel is disclosed here in which the ammunition belt is mounted so that it can move longitudinally.

When the ammunition belt is deflected around its vertical axis, there has been a tendency in previous ammunition guidance for individual cartridges to become loose, i.e. the respective cartridge shifts lengthwise to the belt link holding it. If such a belting occurs, the cartridge is too far in front or too far behind during further transport and when entering the gun, so that malfunctions occur when the gun is loaded.

However, even when the ammunition belt is being transported through the ammunition guide, malfunctions can already occur as a result of the cartridge tilting on the way to the feed unit for the weapon, since transport is impeded.

The object of the present invention is therefore to prevent the aforementioned disadvantages and in particular to prevent cartridges from shifting in the longitudinal direction relative to the links of the ammunition belt that hold them.

These objects are solved by the features of claim 4 and by the design of the ammunition belt according to claim 1.

Accordingly, an ammunition belt is proposed which is designed for cartridges. For this purpose, the ammunition belt has belt links into which the cartridges can be accommodated. The belt links can be shorter than the cartridges, so that the projectile tips of the cartridges protrude from the belt links.

The cartridges may further include cases. These can be arranged at least on the bottom of the cartridge as a case bottom, but they can also extend along the cartridge.

The cartridges are preferably designed to taper towards the tip of the bullet. This allows the cartridges to form a shoulder surface, namely where the taper to the bullet tip begins.

The belt links according to the invention have belt loops and belt hooks. The belt hooks can engage in the belt loops and thus connect the belt links in an articulated manner. This results in the ammunition belt according to the invention when using several belt links which interlock and are provided with cartridges.

The belt links according to the invention also have at least one upper and/or one lower hook. The hook is arranged laterally from the longitudinal direction of the ammunition belt. Accordingly, the belt loops and belt hooks are offset by 90 degrees to the hooks, based on the longitudinal axis of the belt links. The belt loops and belt hooks are diametrically opposed.

The upper hooks are open towards the tip of the bullet and the lower hooks are open towards the base of the case. These hooks are intended to ensure support on a suitable element of the ammunition guide.

According to the invention, an ammunition guide is also proposed which can transport the aforementioned ammunition belt. For this purpose, the ammunition guide has at least one guide rail, which is preferably made of rods, which can be held by a frame element and form a channel. Alternatively, the guide rail can be designed as a channel, which is preferably designed to be closed on three sides. The ammunition belt can be opened in it be taken so that only the tip of the bullet protrudes from the guide rail. However, the guide rail can also be designed to be completely closed. Even in the case of a closed channel, the guide rail contains at least one guide rod.

The ammunition belt is then received in the channel or between the rods and guided by them. As a result, the ammunition belt is mounted so that it can move longitudinally along the ammunition guide.

For this purpose, the guide rail according to the invention includes a floor, which can also be designed as a floor bar. The cartridges of the ammunition belt can rest on this floor. The movement of the cartridges in their longitudinal axis in the guide rail is thus limited on one side by the floor. The cartridges can touch down on the base or the base rod via the base of the case.

The guide rail according to the invention also has at least one guide rod in the channel, which extends in the direction of the guide rail. A guide bar is also understood to be a guide rod, which is preferably proposed in the form of the guide rail as a closed channel. For this purpose, the channel, which consists of rods, preferably has two lower guide rods, which are arranged to the left and/or right of the cartridge or of the belt elements, specifically in the lower part of the cartridge, ie in the vicinity of the base of the case. The cartridge or the belt link can be guided laterally via the lower guide rod and thus held in the guide rail.

Furthermore, the guide rail made up of rods has a first and a second lateral guide rod, which are also arranged to the left and right of the cartridge or the belt links, but in the upper part of the cartridge, ie facing the tip of the projectile.

Guidance by the lateral guide rods can be supported by arranging the guide rods in the area of the shoulder surfaces of the cartridges. As a result, the distance between the two lateral guide rods can be selected to be smaller than the distance between the lower guide rods if two lower guide rods are used. Due to the smaller distance, the shoulder surfaces can be supported on the lateral guide rods and thus limit the cartridges not only in their lateral movement, but also in the longitudinal direction. In the case of a closed channel, this can be tapered in the direction of the projectile tips in order to fulfill the same function.

The freedom of movement of the ammunition belt in the guide rail is thus limited to a longitudinal movement along the guide rail by the rods or the channel.

According to the invention, a guide element is now provided which is arranged on at least one of the guide rods (on the side or on the bottom). This guide element forms a support on which the upper or lower hook can be supported.

Due to the movement of the ammunition belt in the ammunition guide, different forces act on the cartridges or the belt links of the ammunition belt. First, a tensile force acts in the direction of movement of the ammunition belt. This is caused by a drive which can move the ammunition belt in the direction of the weapon.

Due to the guidance of the rods of the ammunition guide, a frictional force counteracts the tensile force which is caused by the contact between the ammunition belt and the ammunition guide when the ammunition belt moves through the ammunition guide.

Additional forces act on the cartridges or the belt links due to external influences such as gravity or a rotary movement caused by rotations, which are dictated by the ammunition guide. However, these act in addition to the tensile and frictional forces described above.

The resultant force, which arises from the combination of the aforementioned forces, can shift a cartridge from the corresponding belt link in the guide rail transversely to the direction of transportation. The belt link can even slip over the groove with a locking cam which engages in a groove located on the bottom of the cartridge. Such grooves are required for ejecting spent cartridge cases and for positioning the cartridge in the belt link.

Such slipping is now prevented by supporting the belt links by means of the hooks on the guide element. By supporting the transverse forces acting on the cartridge or the belt link can be absorbed in the hook.

It is proposed to arrange the guide elements according to the invention at the bends or twists of the guide rail. In this case, several guide elements can each be attached to the lower or the lateral guide rods or only to one of the rods per rotation of the guide rail. To wel cher rod the guide element is arranged depends on the distribution of forces in the ammunition belt. So when the cartridge moves up, the belt link tends down. As the cartridge shifts downward, the belt link tends upward. The guide element should restrict the movement of the belt link or counteract the respective movement of the belt link.

If the ammunition belt at a rotation tends to diverge the cartridges downwardly relative to the belt member, a guide member is provided on the upper guide bar. If the ammunition belt, when rotated, tends to displace the cartridges upwardly relative to the belt member, a guide element is provided on the lower guide rod. Furthermore, a guide element can be provided on one or guide elements on both of the lateral guide rods.

In order to fasten the guide elements, it is preferably proposed to provide the guide element with foot pieces, which can encompass the rods. For this purpose, the foot pieces are U-shaped so that the rod can be accommodated in the inner part of the U.

The foot pieces are preferably spaced apart from one another. This design has the advantage that the guide element can follow the course of the respective rod. The spaces between the foot pieces can then accommodate bending and twisting.

The foot pieces also preferably have fuses, via which the foot pieces can be attached to the respective rod. Without the fuses, the guide element can be applied to the respective rod by means of a press fit. However, another attachment can be made with the fuse, for example by screwing.

The guide element has a support for supporting the hooks. This is preferably designed as a web. In this embodiment, the web and thus the guide element has a first and a second lateral guide surface.

The first lateral guide surface is directed towards the cartridges or the belt links. This guide surface gives the ammunition belt another option for guiding.

The second lateral guide surface is on the opposite side of the first guide surface and thus faces away from the cartridges. This second lateral guide surface can be used to guide the hook. When the hook rests on the support, the hook projects beyond the support and runs along the second guide surface.

It is also preferably proposed, when using the frame element, to provide the guide element with a fastening option, by means of which the guide element can be fastened to the frame element. This enables further mounting of the guide element in addition to the foot pieces. Such a frame also enables the arrangement of several guide rails in the ammunition guide for guiding several ammunition belts.

It is proposed to use the aforementioned ammunition belt and the aforementioned ammunition guide as a system. The ammunition belt is then inserted into the guide rail of the ammunition guide in order to be able to be guided by it along the guide rail.

The guide rail made up of rods can also be provided with a U-shaped casing, so that this casing together with the rods form the channel. The bullet tips can protrude from the casing. A complete casing can also be provided. The shroud can then be attached to the frame member.

The aforementioned ammunition guide can be designed to guide several ammunition belts. Thus, the aforementioned rods are also designed to be present in multiples, in order to be able to accommodate and guide several ammunition belts according to the invention.

• 1: Teilansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Munitionsführung mit eingelegtem Munitionsgurt;
• 2: Detaildarstellung des Führungselements an einer unteren Führungsstange.

Further features emerge from the figures. Show it:

• 1 : Partial view of an ammunition guide according to the invention with inserted ammunition belt;
• 2 : Detailed view of the guide element on a lower guide rod.

1 shows an ammunition guide 4 according to the invention with an inserted ammunition belt 6. The ammunition guide 4 is an essentially rigid structural unit and guides at least one individual ammunition belt 6, consisting of a number of cartridges 7 and an equal number of belt links 8, from an entry position, for example a reloading point or a magazine to an exit position, such as a dual belt feeder or ammunition conveyor unit.

The ammunition guide 4 forms a number of channels by a corresponding number of ammunition belts 6 to conduct. The individual channel can have a cross-section that runs essentially continuously around the ammunition belt 6 and is closed on three sides, which is supplemented by guide rods in the channel, or it can be formed by individual guide rods, which in their effect result in a three-sided enclosing of the ammunition belt 6 add to. In the case shown 1 the single channel is formed by five guide rods 5, 13, 15, 23 (the lower guide rod 5 is doubled). The guide rods 5, 13, 15, 23 can be held by a frame element 24.

The individual cartridge 7 stands with its case base 14 on a base rod 13 and is positioned by this in the direction of its longitudinal extension.

The individual belt links 8 of the ammunition belt 6 are positively connected to one another via interlocking belt loops 11 and belt hooks 12, as a result of which the external forces F1 and F2 acting on the belt ends are transmitted via all belt links 8.

The ammunition guide 4 shown causes the cartridges 7 of the ammunition belt 6 to be deflected in two planes from an upright position to a lying position oriented in the firing direction; both deflections are made by approximately 90°.

The belt links 8 and thus also the cartridges 7 of the ammunition belt 6 held by them tend to be arranged in the manner of a chain or a rope on a straight line between the points of application of the forces F1 and F2. This is impeded by the support of the cartridges 7 and belt links 8 on the rods 5, 13, 15 of the ammunition guide 4, as a result of which support forces act as a reaction in the contact points between them.

At the center point of the deflection of the ammunition belt 6, the maximum reaction force results from the vector addition of the acting forces F1 and F2. In addition to forces at the contact points between the cartridges 7 and the guide rods 5, 15, this also causes a force F3 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridges 7, which causes a counterforce F3' at the contact point between the case base 14 and the base rod 13. The force couple F3 and F3' acting on the belt member 8 and the cartridge 7, in combination with the limitation of a possible displacement of the cartridge 7 by the base rod 13, causes the belt member 8 to slide on the cartridge 7 towards the case base 14 of the same.

With a corresponding level of force F3, the belt link 8 slides so far on the cartridge 7 that the latching cams 16 of the belt link 8 run out of a circumferential retaining groove on the case bottom 14. The described slipping of the belt link 8 is reinforced by the fact that the cartridges 7 are preferably coated with an anti-friction varnish in order to be able to release them more easily from the cartridge seat in the barrel after the shot.

A guide rail 1 according to the invention forms a guide element 2, which is shown in detail in 2 is shown. In the direction of the vertical axis of the ammunition belt 6, the guide element 2 forms a support 18 for the lower hook 10 of the belt link 8, which faces the case base 14 of the cartridges 7. The described force F3 acting on the belt link 8 is absorbed by this support 18 and Structure of the ammunition guide 4 initiated.

The distance between the support 18 and the point of contact between the case base 14 and the base rod 13 is selected in such a way that, even under the forces occurring during operation of the weapon system on the ammunition belt 6 and the resulting elastic deformations of the ammunition guide 4, the belt element 8 preferably does not open the cartridge 7 shifts. At least the distance is chosen so that the latching cams 16 of the belt link 8 do not run out of the retaining groove of the cartridge 7 . The guide element 2 thus advantageously reinforces the channel of the guide rail 1.

Furthermore, the guide element 2 forms lateral guide surfaces 19, 20, which, via their contact with a side surface of the cartridge 7 or on a side surface of the strap element 8, and/or via their contact with a lateral inner surface of the hook 10, guide the strap element 8 in the course of the ammunition guide 4 position and/or guide. A certain lateral clearance of the guide element 2 to one of the two guided surfaces is necessary in order to prevent the belt link 8 from jamming on the guide element 2 .

Alternatively, a guide element 2 according to the invention can also engage in the hook 9 of the belt member 8 facing the projectile tip 21 of the cartridge 7 . This embodiment is to be used when the deflection around the vertical axis of the ammunition belt 6 takes place in such a way that the cartridge 7 is pressed with its conical shoulder surface 22 against the lateral guide rods 15, 23 due to the forces acting on it. The guide element 2 then prevents the belt member 8 from slipping in the direction of the projectile tip 21 on the cartridge or at least prevents the latching cams 16 of the belt member 8 from running out of the retaining groove of the cartridge 7 in this direction.

Depending on the complexity and design of the ammunition guide 4 of a weapon system, guide elements according to the invention can be arranged in one or more of a number of ammunition channels; they can also be arranged one or more times in both directions of action described in a single ammunition channel.

The figures show a guide element 2 according to the invention, which is mounted as a retrofit solution with a number of foot pieces 3 on a lower guide rod 5 of a front ammunition guide 4 . The foot pieces 3 are each provided with a safety device 17 and can be secured in position with a screw (not shown) on the lower or lateral guide rod 5, 15, 23. Alternatively and for new constructions, a guide element 2 according to the invention is an integral component of an ammunition guide 4. It is preferably produced as an individual part and particularly preferably by a machining process, specifically by a multi-axis milling process. As the process becomes more established, such a component can also be produced using 3D printing processes.

The guide element 2 produced in this way is integrated into the ammunition guide 4 when it is assembled; this is preferably done by welding. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to attach the guide element 2 to the ammunition guide 4 by riveting, screwing, gluing or soldering.

The present invention is not limited to the aforesaid features. Rather, other versions are conceivable. Thus, the ammunition guide can contain a preferably resiliently designed pressure element in the same channel of the ammunition guide in which the guide element is arranged. The pressure element causes the hooks of the belt links to be threaded onto the guide element in an orderly and reliable manner when the ammunition belt enters the guide element. Such a pressure element is particularly preferably designed as a pressure rail made of spring steel.

reference list

1

guide rail

2

guide element

3

base

4

ammunition guide

5

Lower Shaft

6

ammo belt

7

cartridge

8th

belt links

9

Upper hook

10

Bottom hook

11

belt loop

12

belt hook

13

ground rod

14

case base

15

First lateral guide rod

16

detent cam

17

fuse

18

edition

19

First lateral guide surface

20

Second lateral guide surface

21

bullet tip

22

shoulder surface

23

Second side guide bar

24

frame element

F1

traction

F2

friction force

F3

First chord force

F3'

Second chord force

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 3336192 A1 [0004]
• DE 2948685 A1 [0006]

Claims (18)

Ammunition belt (6) with cartridges (7), with belt links (8) into which the cartridges can be accommodated, the belt links (8) each having belt loops (11) and belt hooks (12) which can engage in one another and the belt links (8 ) can connect, characterized in that the belt links (8) have at least one lower hook (10) and/or at least one upper hook (9) which are arranged laterally of a longitudinal direction of the ammunition belt (6). ammunition belt (6). claim 1 , characterized in that the cartridges (7) have sleeves and have a sleeve base (14) and a projectile tip (21). ammunition belt (6). claim 2 , characterized in that the cartridges have a shoulder surface (22) which is designed as a tapering of the cartridge (7) towards the projectile tip (21). Ammunition guide (4) for at least one ammunition belt (6) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , with at least one guide rail (1) in which the ammunition belt (6) can be mounted in a longitudinally movable manner, the guide rail (1) forming a channel with a base, the cartridges (7) of the ammunition belt being able to rest on the base, the channel contains at least one guide rod (5, 15, 23), characterized in that a guide element (2) is arranged on at least one of the guide rods (5, 15, 23), the guide element (2) forming a support (18). which the belt members (8) can be supported on the upper or lower hooks (9, 10). ammunition guidance claim 4 , characterized in that the channel is closed on three sides. ammunition guidance claim 4 , characterized in that the channel is formed from a bottom rod (13) as the bottom, at least one lower guide rod (5) and a first and a second lateral guide rod (15, 23). Ammunition guide according to one of Claims 4 until 6 , characterized in that the guide element (2) contains foot pieces (3) which can encompass one of the guide rods (5, 15, 23). ammunition guidance claim 7 , characterized in that the foot pieces (3) are spaced apart from each other. ammunition guidance claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that the foot pieces (3) each contain a fuse (17) via which the guide element (2) can be attached to one of the guide rods (5, 15, 23). Ammunition guide according to one of Claims 4 until 9 , characterized in that the guide element (2) includes a first lateral guide surface (19) over which the cartridges (7) or the belt links (8) can be guided. Ammunition guide according to one of Claims 4 until 10 , characterized in that the guide element (2) includes a second lateral guide surface (20) over which the upper hook (9) or the lower hook (10) can be guided. Ammunition guide according to one of Claims 4 until 11 , characterized in that the guide rail (1) includes two lower guide rods (5). Ammunition guide according to one of Claims 4 until 12 , characterized in that the lower guide bar (5), the bottom bar (13), the first side guide bar (15) and the second side guide bar (23) are supported by at least one frame member (24). ammunition guidance Claim 13 , characterized in that the guide element (2) includes attachment options, by which the guide element (2) can be attached to the frame element (24). Ammunition guidance system consisting of an ammunition belt (6) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 and an ammunition guide according to one of Claims 4 until 14 , characterized in that the ammunition belt (6) can be guided in the guide rail (1) in such a way that the cartridges (7) move transversely to the guide rail (1) via the bottom rod (13) and the first and second lateral guide rods (15 , 23) are limited. ammunition guidance system claim 15 , characterized in that the first and second guide rod (15, 23) rests against a shoulder surface (22) of the cartridge (7) and a projectile tip (21) of the cartridge (7) protrudes beyond the guide rail. ammunition guidance system claim 15 or 16 , characterized in that a force acts on the belt links (8) through the guide rail (1), which counteracts a resultant belt force F3 and which is introduced into the belt links via the upper hooks (9) or via the lower hooks (10). ammunition guidance system Claim 17 , characterized in that the design of the ammunition guide (4), guide rail (1), belt elements (8) and cartridges (7) is selected in such a way that the force F3` acting on the cartridge (7) from the base bar (13) is smaller is than the belt force F3.

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