DE3046642A1 - AUTOMATIC LOADING DEVICE FOR FIREARMS - Google Patents

Description

Act 80-10-87

Weqmann & Co., Auqust-Bode-Str. 1, 3500 Kassel

Automatic loading device for firearms.

The invention relates to an automatic loading device for firearms in which the ammunition is kept ready in magazines will.

The object of the invention is primarily intended for weapons that are arranged in the turret of a battle tank, especially when the tower is flat.

There are known loading devices in which a magazine is arranged on the weapon itself. If the type of ammunition is to be changed in such a loading device, the magazine located on the weapon must be removed and replaced by a magazine with a different type of ammunition. This means a loss of time. Faults can also occur within the magazine on the weapon, and in this case too the magazine must be removed and replaced with another magazine, which results in a pause in shooting. ■

It is also known to keep the ammunition ready in a magazine, that is arranged away from the weapon, for example in the turret of a main battle tank, and from that about special Devices the cartridges of the weapon are fed. However, it has been shown that in these known Devices each have only a relatively small number of cartridges in the immediate vicinity of the weapon, for example can be kept ready in the tower.

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The object on which the invention is based was to create a charging device of the type mentioned at the beginning, in which the greatest possible number of cartridges, possibly various types of ammunition, are kept ready in the immediate vicinity of the weapon with optimal use of space can be, but the magazine is not arranged on the weapon itself.

This object is achieved according to the invention by that two magazines are arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal center plane of the weapon, from which the ammunition is optionally removed can be. In this way it is possible to keep at least two different types of ammunition in stock can be fed alternately. In the event of malfunctions within one magazine, it is possible to immediately switch to the second

through this

To switch magazine. Full redundancy can / can be achieved that with two types of ammunition, both types of ammunition are distributed to both magazines. In addition, the object has the invention still has the advantage that the space available behind the weapon is better used and this also saves weight.

The two magazines to be arranged symmetrically according to the invention can be magazines of a known type, for example Tape magazines. In these known magazines, the ammunition is usually in the form of a chain Conveyor belt fed to the weapon, which is similar to the cartridge belts in automatic firearms, is different from these But it differs in that the cartridges are only perpendicular to their longitudinal axis and only at the deflection points of the Conveyor belt, where the links open by themselves, can be removed. In such a tape magazine can accommodate a large number of cartridges depending on the total space available, with Upper and lower run of the conveyor belt are filled with cartridges.

ORIGINAL! NSPECTED

Act 80-10-87

However, magazines can also be used in which, according to the further invention, the ammunition on both sides in Layers is stored and is fed to a loading tube by means of transport levers mounted on reciprocating rods. Several layers can be arranged one above the other in each magazine, for example three layers with six each Shot, so that a total of 36 shots are kept ready at the weapon. Only the cartridges from the The lowest layer is fed to the loading tube by the transport lever, while the ammunition is stored in this way in the higher layers is that it can be transferred to the lowest position. This can be done, for example, that in the higher layers, the cartridges are in containers, which consist of two rotatable half-shells, so that the inside when a container is opened, the lying cartridge falls into the position underneath. The arrangement can be made so that each time the bottom layer is empty, the cartridges from the overlying second layer at the same time fall into the lowest layer and then the cartridges of the third layer above it into the second Location. The cartridge containers could also be operated individually so that the bottom layer is always after removal a cartridge is refilled as long as there are cartridges in the upper layers.

In principle, however, the cartridges can also be fed to the loading tube from the other layers of the magazine, if The height of the loading tube and piecer are adjustable.

In the case of a loading device in the turret of a battle tank, In particular in a flat tower, the magazines are expediently arranged so that the cartridges in the magazine are essentially are stored in planes that are perpendicular to the elevation plane of the weapon.

Act 80-10-87 .

The location of the ammunition in the country plays an important role
Magazines. The transfer of the cartridges into the weapon is on \

simplest when the cartridges in the magazine with the projectile; points are stored in the weft direction. With certain concepts, this can result in the layout of the crew; that if the magazine is damaged by fire, the man- ^; shank in the tower and the main weapon of direct action
are exposed to shaped charge ammunition. With certain other layout concepts for the crew, this represents storage
however, it does not pose a threat. It may also be desirable to have that
Do not close cartridges with the bullet tips pointing in the direction of fire
store, but with the cartridge axes perpendicular to the direction of fire,
and preferably with the bullet point outwards. To this end; to enable additional devices in the magazine. be provided through which the cartridges in the firing direction
pivoted and then inserted into the weapon through a rammer. In the case of tape magazines, for example, the cartridge at the deflection point of the tape can be transferred into a pivotable loading tube which is then pivoted into the loading position. In order to gain the necessary space for this, you can
expediently the two magazines at an angle to the longitudinal center plane '. stand so that they diverge in the direction of the transfer point, so that the piecing can be accommodated in this space. But it is necessary that i still between the rear end of the weapon and the magazine
about the length of a cartridge is available.
The two magazines
or the device that the conveyor belt for the cartridges
carries to be parallel to the cartridges, close to the rear! Pivoting axes arranged on the edges of the magazine
be. This will gain the necessary space to each
under the magazine i swiveled out of the removal position, the loading tube with the cartridge to be fed to the weapon is in

^HOi "iU ί '£ D

• * · a

Act 80-10-87

ί to swivel the position in which the bullet tip is in the

t shows direction. With this arrangement, the cartridges

! with the bullet points pointing outwards in the magazine

i be accommodated. Can be used to swivel the loading tube

ι this according to the further invention at both ends

i each be rotatably connected to a swivel arm and the other

j the end of each swivel arm can be rotated on a socket

! that slides on a guide rod each. Both

ί Sockets are connected to each other by a connecting rod.

Each arm may be driven by a separate drive Stellan-. ¹ The sockets and their connecting ^{rod 1} can be moved by a chain drive along the guide rods, so that for both magazines only
a swivel device is required, the loading tube
first the magazine that is in the removal position,
\ is fed in and a cartridge is removed from it, whereupon
the loading tube laterally in front of the from the removal position
swiveled out magazine is brought, where then the '

The loading tube is swiveled into the loading position.

Embodiments of the subject matter of the invention
j are shown in the figures.

Fig. 1 shows a device in which two tape magazines:; are provided, the projectile tips according to; ', wise inside,

; ι

ι Fig. 2 shows a section through the device according to Fig.l

I after the line I-I,

i ι

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment with tape magazines where- '! with the bullet tips pointing outwards, j

Fig. 4 shows the same embodiment, in section
I according to the line V - IV in Fig. 5, j

! Fig. 5 shows the same AusfUhrungsform cut according to! • the line VV in Fig. 4,;

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Fig. 6 shows another embodiment with magazines in which the cartridges are transported by a conveyor be funded,

Fig. 7 shows the same Ausführungsforra cut along the line VII-VII in Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment with similar magazines, with the bullet tips pointing outwards,

Fig. 9 shows the same embodiment sectioned along the line IX-IX in Fig. 8,

Fig.10 shows the same embodiment in section the line X-X in FIG. 9.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cartridges 4 are arranged in two magazines 1 and 2 so that the projectile tips point inward. The cartridges are on in one known conveyor belt arranged, the cartridges receiving pans are longer than the cartridges. the individual links are rotatably connected to one another in the cartridge axis and guided in circulating rails. In such Cartridges can only be removed from magazines at deflection point 11. The cartridge to be removed is controlled by levers 14 pushed out of the conveyor belt and pushed into the loading tube 5, which is a half-open tube with the opening after the side is. The cartridge is held in this loading tube by resilient clips, not shown. The loading tube 5, which is shown in Fig. 2 in two different positions, is at its front end by a Joint 10 is connected to a swivel arm 8, the other end of which at 9. - is arranged to be pivotable in a fixed manner. At the rear At the end of the loading tube there is a roller 12 which is guided in a rail 13 fixed to the tower. As soon as the The cartridge to be fed to the weapon is located in the loading tube 5, the electrically driven pivot arm 8 performs a pivoting movement in which he has the cartridge, as shown in Fig. 1

^ SCTH)

Act 80-10-87

puts into the loading position, i.e. the cartridge lies in the barrel axis of the weapon with the point in the direction of fire. The cartridge is removed from the loading tube 5 'by means of a rammer 6, which can be, for example, a telescopic ripper shoved into the gun. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the two magazines are used to accommodate the piecing device

arranged so that they are forward, i.e. towards; the weapon diverge somewhat, so that in the narrow triangular Space between the piecing can be accommodated. The piecing path is only about one cartridge length. As soon the cartridge is pushed out of the loading tube into the cartridge chamber of the weapon 7, the lever 8 pivots the loading tube 5 back to its starting position, which frees up the space for the bottom piece to run back the weapon is required.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, two tape magazines 16, 17 are arranged side by side so that the bullet tips point outwards. The two belt magazines or the two conveyor belts 18 with the cartridges 19 are ura pivot pins 20, which are located near the rear end of the magazine, pivotable. In Fig. 5 is the magazine 16 shown in the position in which a cartridge can be removed while the magazine 17 is pivoted upwards. Drive devices 21 are used to adjust the height of the magazines. If a cartridge is to be removed, it is switched on the deflection point pressed by a transfer lever 36 into the loading tube 22, in which it is not shown by Springs is held. The loading tube 22 is suspended from two swivel arms 23 and 24, the swivel arm 24 is rotatably connected at 26 to one end of the loading tube. The other end of the pivot arm 24 is rotatable with a bushing 28 which slides on a guide rod 30. The pivot arm 23 is in a corresponding manner the other end of the loading tube 22 is articulated at 25

File 80-10-87 - 12 -

and its other end is hinged to the bushing 27 which slides on the guide rod 29. The two sockets 27 and 28 are connected to one another by a rod 33. This suspension of the loading tube 22 makes it possible The loading tube can be pivoted either about the axes of the joints 26, 2.7, or about the axes of the joints 25, 28. By the displacement on the guide rods 29, 30 can be done by the loading tube either in front of the magazine 16 or in front of the magazine 17 are brought. The pivot arms 23 and 24 are driven by actuators 31, 32, each with only one Actuator can be operated and the second actuator holds the swivel arm driven by it. the A cartridge is then fed to the weapon as follows:

Assume that a cartridge is to be fed from the magazine 16 of the weapon. For this purpose, the magazine 16 is in the 5, the magazine 17 is brought into the upper position shown in FIG. 5. The transfer lever 36 pushes the cartridge located at the deflection point into the loading tube 22. Thereupon the loading tube moves, guided by the guide rods 29, 30, in front of the magazine and now the loading tube is under the magazine 17 as shown in Fig. 3 in the upper part, pivoted that the

Shot cartridge 19 is in the direction of travel with the bullet tip forward. One arranged between the magazines 16 and 17 Rammer 35 pushes the cartridge into the chamber of the weapon. The piecer can be any known piecer, for example a telescopic piecer or a chain piecer. The space required for the gun to run back remains free of any charging devices.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, two magazines 39 and 40 are arranged side by side so that the Point the bullet tips in the direction of the shot. This arrangement

t · · · Aft * «» ftp

Act 80-10-87

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requires very little space and is accordingly very light, but has the consequence that the bullet tips are directed forward. In this case, tape magazines are not used as magazines, but magazines, in which the cartridges lie one above the other in several layers, three layers are shown. The cartridges of the lowest Layer are fed to the loading tube by a transport mechanism. This transport mechanism consists of their longitudinal direction reciprocating rods 44 on which articulated transport levers 45 are arranged are pressed by springs 46 upwards against fixed stops, not shown. The rods 44 are driven by gears 53 driven, the stroke being equal to the distance between the centers of two adjacent cartridges. So when promoting the cartridges do not run back, locking levers 47 are also provided, but not on the rods 44, but are articulated on the stationary parts of the magazine and by springs 48 also against not stops shown are pressed. In the rest position and during transport to the front, the cartridges 41 are on the Transport levers 45 open. When the rods 44 return, the locking levers 47 take over the support and position fixing of the cartridges 41. This ensures that all cartridges of the lowest layer 41 with a back and forth movement of the Rods 44 in the direction of the transfer point, which is located in the middle, are promoted. Since only one at a time Magazine cartridges are to be removed, only the rods of one magazine half are driven. The cartridges half of the magazine go one after the other into an or several strokes in the loading tube 51, which consists of two pivotable half-shell pairs, which when a cartridge resiliently give way and grasp the cartridge so that it cannot fall out to the side. By a piecer 52 the cartridge is pushed into the chamber of the weapon.

Act 80-10-87

The cartridges stored in the upper layers 42 and 43 lie in pivotable half-shells 49. These half-shells can be pivoted apart by the lever 50, so that the cartridge lying therein in the underlying position can fall. For example, if the bottom layer 41 is empty, i.e. the last one. Cartridge inserted into loading tube 51, in this way, all half-shells 49 of the upper layer 42 can be opened, with which the lower layer is filled again. After this Closing the half-shells of this layer, the half-shells of the upper layer 43 can be opened so that the cartridges fall from this position to position 42.

On the one hand, this arrangement has the advantage that the magazines are simple, light and not prone to failure but the disadvantage that the bullet point is directed forward.

This disadvantage is avoided in the arrangement according to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, in which the projectile tips are outwardly. In this embodiment, too, the cartridges are again stacked in three layers. The transport mechanism of the lower layer 61 corresponds to the reciprocating ones Rods 64 the transport levers 65, the springs 66, the locking levers 67, the springs 68 and the drive gear 82, the transport mechanism as described with reference to the exemplary embodiment for FIGS. 6 and 7. Likewise The cartridges in the upper layers 62 and 63 lie again in rotatable half-shells 69, which are opened by means of the lever 70 can be to drop the cartridge in the next lower position. In this embodiment but the cartridges must be pivoted again from the position transversely to the firing direction in the firing direction. Of the The transport mechanism of the lowest layer 61 brings the cartridge to be loaded into one of the loading tubes 71, 72. Each One of these loading tubes is assigned to half of the magazine.

fQhNAL INSPECTED

Act 80-10-87

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Each of the loading tubes is suspended at its rear end on a pivot lever 73 or 74 and this pivot lever can be pivoted via pivot points fixed to the tower. At the front end, each loading tube is supported by a guide roller 77 or guided in a guide rail 79, which is parallel to the position of the cartridge axes in the magazine to the center of the magazine runs. Here is a rotary switch 81 through which the guide roller from the guide rail 79 into the Guide rail 80 is steered, which runs parallel to the weapon. The loading tube with the cartridge inside is pulled back by the swivel lever until the cartridge axis and the extended barrel axis are in cover are located. As soon as the roller leading to the front end of the loading tube has reached the rotary switch 81, this changed over and the pivot lever 73 or 74 swings back immediately and pushes the loading tube with the Cartridge in the space between the two magazines. A height-adjustable rammer 83 pushes the cartridge into the cartridge chamber of the weapon and is raised immediately after the attachment process to free the space for it now the pivot levers 73 and 74 perform the opposite pivoting movements and the loading tube 71 and 72, respectively bring it back into the starting position shown in FIG.

In all of the described embodiments, different ammunition can be kept ready in the two part magazines will. So it can be seen from Fig. 8 that the cartridges in the two part magazines have different lengths, From which it then also follows that the loading tubes 71, 72 and the pivot levers 73, 74 are of unequal length.

In all of the described embodiments, the Conveyor, transport and loading devices electrically or pneumatically driven. In the event of an energy failure 1 or other Malfunctions, the crew must be able to use the weapon

BAD ORlGiNAL

Act 80-10-87

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reloading by hand. This is possible in all embodiments because all devices instead of electrical drives can also be driven by a hand crank with little effort, it may now be a question of the tape magazines or the transport devices in the embodiments according to FIGS. 6 to 10 act. Audi that Pivoting the loading tubes can be effected by hand without any effort and since the loading tubes are not completely closed in any embodiment, the Ammunition from the loading tube can be pushed into the cartridge chamber of the weapon by hand.

-H-. ! NS

PBCTBD

Claims (1)

DR. HEINZ FEDER DR. WOLF-D. FEATHER PATENT LAWYERS Düsseldorf Act 80-10-87 December 9, 1980 Dr.F / Wi Claims yAutomatic loading device for firearms, in which the ammunition is kept ready in magazines, thereby . characterized in that two magazines (1, 2; 16, 17; 39, 40; 59, 60) are arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal center plane of the weapon, from which the ammunition can be optionally removed. 2. Automatic loading device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two magazines are tape magazines (1, 2; 16, 17) from which the ammunition can optionally be removed. 3. Automatic loading device according to claim 2, characterized in that the two tape magazines are driven via mutually switchable clutches. 4. Automatic loading device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the cartridges in both magazines (1, 2; 16, 17) lie transversely to the firing direction of the weapon and at the deflection point of the belt (3, 18) in a pivotable loading tube (5, 22), which brings them into the loading position. J U 4 b b File 80-10-87 _ 2 - 5. Automatic loading device according to claim 4, characterized qekenn-; draws that the two magazines (1, 2) so obliquely to; Longitudinal median plane of the weapon stand that they diverge in the direction of the transfer point. 6. Automatic loading device according to one of claims to 4, characterized in that the two magazines (16, 17) are pivotable about pivot axes (20) parallel to the cartridges and arranged near their rear edges. 7. Automatic loading device according to claim 6, characterized in that the magazines (16, 17) are alternately pivotable to such an extent that there is space for the pivotable loading tube (22) and the cartridge located therein under the magazine pivoted from the removal position. 8. Automatic loading device according to claim 7, characterized in that the loading tube (22) is rotatably connected at both ends with a pivot arm (23, 24) and the other end of each Schwenkarraes is rotatably attached to a socket (27, 28), each of which slides on a guide rod (29, 30) and both sockets are connected to one another by a connecting rod (33). 9. Automatic loading device according to claim 8, characterized in that each pivot arm (23, 24) is driven by its own actuator (31, 32). File 80-10-87 - 3 - 10. Automatic loading device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the sockets (27, 28) and their connecting rod (33) by a chain drive (34) along the guide rods (29, 30) ! are movable. i11. Automatic loading device according to claim 1, characterized j in that the ammunition on both sides in 'layers (41; 61) is mounted and on the reciprocating rods (44, 64) mounted transfer lever (45, 65) a loading tube (51; 71 , 72) is supplied. <12. Automatic charging device according to claim 11, characterized j in that the ammunition in each magazine; in several layers (41, 42, 43; 61, 62, 63) one above the other: is arranged. I13. Automatic loading device according to Claim 12, characterized in that the ammunition is stored in the higher positions (42, 43; 62, 63) in containers consisting of two rotatable half-shells (49; 69) in such a way that the cartridge is in each case when a container is opened ί the layer below falls. 'l4. Automatic loading device according to one of the claims ! 11 to 13, characterized in that in addition to the transport levers (45, 65) on the stationary ones Parts of the magazine locking lever (47, 67) are arranged. Act 80-10-87 15. Automatic loading device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the cartridges in both magazines (39, 40) are parallel to the longitudinal plane of the weapon, with the tips in the firing direction, and the cartridge leaving a magazine is located directly comes into the loading position. 16. Automatic loading device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the cartridges are in both magazines (59, 60) with projectile tips facing away from the longitudinal center plane and the loading tube (71, 72) into which each cartridge leaving the magazine is pressed, is a half tube, the rear end of which is suspended from a pivotable arm (73, 74), while at the front end a in a rail (79) guided roller (77, 78) is located, which during loading by a rotary switch (81) is guided in a rail (80) in the longitudinal direction of the weapon. 17. Automatic loading device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the cartridges in both magazines (39, 40, 59, 60) are arranged in planes which are substantially perpendicular to the elevation plane of the weapon.