EP0260204B1 - Gas-operated automatic rifle, e.g. of the breakdown type - Google Patents

Description

The subject of the invention is an automatic rifle, with a tilting barrel or not, operating by borrowing gas.

The production of gas-operated rifles is known per se and has been developed by many manufacturers.

Automatic weapons are known by borrowing gases comprising a barrel moving on the front by the pressure of the gases, for example in patent DE-C-351126.

We know from patent FR-A-2572507 belonging to the Applicant an automatic rifle the barrel of which is capable of moving backwards during firing while being associated with the breech and the shutter against a means of recuperation of recoil energy then under the detent effect of the latter, said barrel tube being moved forward against a means for recovering the barrel.

We know from patent DE-A-1949361 a fixed barrel weapon with piston moving backwards causing a movement of the breech backwards.

We know from patent FR-A-2096272 a rifle with a fixed barrel. On the store are positioned the various means which allow the ejection of gases. A piston in its rear drive stroke is in the end position when the piston sleeve hits the front wall of the cylinder head box.

We also know from patent FR-A-2111422 a rifle with a fixed barrel, the piston acting under the effect of thrust from the receding gases.

Also known from patent GB-A-1401893 is a fixed-barrel shotgun with a piston acting under the thrust of gas thrust to the rear.

The aim sought after according to the invention lay in the design of a new rifle operating by borrowing gas using the energy of these to authorize the advancement of the barrel and simultaneously the extraction of the fired cartridge and the introduction a new cartridge from the magazine tube.

With this new rifle design another goal was to achieve a substantial reduction in its length.

These goals are achieved and the rifle proposed according to, the invention is of great reliability and speed of operation, loading and unloading. In addition, the weapon is shorter by approximately 7 to 10 centimeters compared to similar rifles operating by borrowing gas. Also, the rifle obtained according to the invention has a new aesthetic which gives it a particular appeal.

According to the invention, the barrel is mounted with a capacity of displacement forwards with respect to the magazine tube with fixed position; the front part of said barrel receiving in its lower part a sheath internally constituting a gas expansion chamber in communication with the barrel; said store tube having an extension partially engaging in the sheath without closing the gas passage opening; a piston sliding in said sheath under the thrust of the gases acting on the rear of the piston and acting against the recovery spring of the barrel by means of a movable means connected to the piston for the purpose of unlocking the barrel and its displacement relative to the magazine tube; said means being subject to a pair of rods sliding along the magazine tube and the rocker or carcass to authorize the cocking of the percussion hammer and the ascent of the cartridge lifting means in the barrel tube.

Advantageous characteristics will emerge clearly from the following description.

• La figure 1 est une vue de profil d'un fusil fermé à canon basculant selon l'invention, en position initiale,
• la figure 2 est une vue de profil d'un fusil à canon basculant en position ouverte,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne 3.3 de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue partielle illustrant le mécanisme d'armement du chien de percussion et de commande de l'élévateur de cartouches,
• la figure 5 est une vue partielle selon la figure 4 illustrant l'avancée du mécanisme d'armement du chien,
• les figures 6, 7 et 8 sont des vues partielles suivant les figures 4 et 5 illustrant la position de l'organe élévateur de cartouches selon la position du mécanisme d'armement du chien,
• la figure 9 est une vue partielle schématique illustrant le fusil en position fermée lors du tir du premier coup,
• la figure 10 est une vue partielle schématique illustrant le déblocage du verrou et ainsi le déverrouillage du canon en début d'avancée après le tir,
• la figure 11 est une vue partielle illustrant le canon après le tir en bout de course avant et en butée autorisant l'éjection de la cartouche tirée,
• la figure 12 est une vue en plan et selon la ligne 12.12 de la figure 10 illustrant le tube magasin et son support,
• la figure 13 est une vue partielle illustrant le chargement d'une cartouche dans le canon selon une vue semblable à la figure 8,
• la figure 14 est une vue partielle illustrant l'action de retour du canon en position initiale autorisant le chargement d'une cartouche sur l'élévateur,
• les figures 15 et 16 sont des vues à caractère schématique illustrant la seconde fonction du moyen élévateur pour l'armement du chien lors de l'ouverture du fusil,
• la figure 17 est une vue partielle en coupe et à grande échelle illustrant une seconde variante du mécanisme de verrouillage du canon,
• la figure 18 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne A-A de la figure 17,
• la figure 19 est une vue de profil à grande échelle illustrant la partie arrière du piston selon la réalisation de la figure 17,
• les figures 20, 21, 22 sont des vues à caractère schématique illustrant la position du moyen de verrouillage du canon selon la figure 17 par rapport au tube magasin,
• la figure 23 est une vue en variante de l'adaptation de l'invention sur un fusil non basculant.
• la figure 24 est une vue selon la figure 23 avec utilisation du mécanisme de verrouillage du canon selon une seconde variante.

To fix the object of the invention in a nonlimiting manner, the main characteristics of the mechanisms object of the invention have been illustrated in the figures of the drawings. The parts of known mechanisms have been deliberately omitted for the sake of clarity of the drawings and are of a standard embodiment for those skilled in the art.

• FIG. 1 is a side view of a closed rifle with a tilting barrel according to the invention, in the initial position,
• FIG. 2 is a side view of a shotgun tipping in the open position,
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3.3 of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 is a partial view illustrating the mechanism for arming the percussion hammer and for controlling the cartridge elevator,
• FIG. 5 is a partial view according to FIG. 4 illustrating the advance of the dog's arming mechanism,
• FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are partial views according to FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrating the position of the cartridge lifting member according to the position of the dog's arming mechanism,
• FIG. 9 is a partial schematic view illustrating the rifle in the closed position when the first shot is fired,
• FIG. 10 is a partial schematic view illustrating the unlocking of the bolt and thus the unlocking of the barrel at the start of advance after firing,
• FIG. 11 is a partial view illustrating the barrel after firing at the front end of travel and in abutment allowing the ejection of the fired cartridge,
• FIG. 12 is a plan view and along line 12.12 of FIG. 10 illustrating the magazine tube and its support,
• FIG. 13 is a partial view illustrating the loading of a cartridge into the barrel according to a view similar to FIG. 8,
• FIG. 14 is a partial view illustrating the action of returning the barrel to the initial position authorizing the loading of a cartridge on the elevator,
• FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic views illustrating the second function of the lifting means for arming the dog when the rifle is opened,
• FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view on a large scale illustrating a second variant of the barrel locking mechanism,
• FIG. 18 is a sectional view along the line AA in FIG. 17,
• FIG. 19 is a large-scale profile view illustrating the rear part of the piston according to the embodiment of FIG. 17,
• FIGS. 20, 21, 22 are diagrammatic views illustrating the position of the barrel locking means according to FIG. 17 relative to the magazine tube,
• Figure 23 is an alternative view of the adaptation of the invention on a non-tilting rifle.
• Figure 24 is a view according to Figure 23 with use of the barrel locking mechanism according to a second variant.

Reference is made to a tilting barrel according to a first embodiment.

The rifle comprises a profiled carcass (1) forming a rocker at its front end and arranged at the rear for fixing in a conventional manner the stock (2). The key (3) for opening the barrel, the trigger tail (4), the extractor (5), the hammer (6), the other means known per se, such as the trigger, the trigger, have been illustrated diagrammatically. the cylinder head and other main means generally used, not being illustrated for clarity of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the barrel (7) is mounted with a sliding capacity by appropriate grooves (8) along the magazine tube (9) pivotally mounted on the pin (10) at the end of the rocker. The magazine tube is arranged to internally receive several cartridges (11) held in position by a suitable stop notch (12) against a detent spring (13) disposed at the bottom of said magazine.

At the front of the barrel is fixed in its lower part a sleeve (14) having a bearing surface (15) for connection and communication with the interior of the barrel for the passage of gases. In addition, the front store tube is extended directly or indirectly by an insert tubular means for partially engaging in the internal bore of said sheath until it comes to substantially tangent, without however closing it, the opening (16) of passage of gases from the barrel to the gas expansion chamber of said sheath in the initial position. Inside this sleeve slides a piston (17) located near the gas passage opening and beyond it and moving to come opposite the bottom face (14-1) before scabbard. The rod (18) of the piston passes through the front part of the extension of the magazine tube and is associated at its end according to a first embodiment with a means produced in the form of an attached ring (19) capable of sliding while being guided along the tube store. Around the piston rod is arranged the recovery spring (20) of the barrel which is held in position by the end (9-1) of the magazine tube and an internal bearing face (19-1) of the ring. (19).

The introduction of gases into the expansion chamber according to arrow F acts on the piston pushing thus causing by the displacement of the ring on the magazine tube, the compression stress of said spring (20). To allow the movement of the ring (19), there are provided on the opposite faces of the magazine tube, grooves (21) of guide of a certain length acting as a displacement limiter. We illustrated Figures 9, 10 and 11 the displacement of the barrel after firing. In the maximum displacement position of the barrel, the fired cartridge is automatically ejected. A rear opening (14-2) is also provided for the escape of the gases remaining during the return of the piston.

Furthermore, the ring (19) and the magazine tube are arranged with a cutout forming a notch (19-2) profiled together forming the seat of a tilting bolt (22) whose axis (23) is integral with the barrel. As it appears in the drawings, in the rest position, the latch (22) is locked in position and is released only when the ring moves forwards after the shot also emerges from the notch portion of the tube store.

According to another characteristic arrangement of the invention, there is provided a pair of rods (24) (25), one being fixed to the ring (19) sliding along the magazine tube and the other sliding along the rocker to authorize the hammer of the hammer (6) percussion after the firing of the first shot and allow the ascent of the lifting means (26) of cartridge in the barrel tube. These provisions are in particular illustrated in Figures 4 to 8 of the drawings. More specifically, the rod (24) associated with the ring (19) has at the end of a notch (24-1) capable of fitting into a complementary shape (25-1) established at the front end and opposite the second rod (25) when closing the barrel, the two rods being thus closely associated in their movement during the firing operation of the rifle.

The rod (25) is arranged with a reduction in section along its length defining a stop face (25-2) against which will come to bear a finger (27) disposed in overflow on the percussion hammer (6) causing at the end of stroke, against a return spring (28) tilting and arming. During the period of advance of the rod (25) (Figure 5), the dog is held in position by the trigger subject to the trigger not shown in the drawings. As long as the rod (25) has not gone back, the dog cannot be struck. The rod (25) arms the hammer percussion for additional shots but during the first shot, the dog is armed by the tilting of the elevator, as will be specified later.

The rod (25) further comprises, in its rear part, an upper heel (25-3) forming an ejector. When the rod (25) is at the front end of travel, it causes the ejection of the drawn cartridge retained by the extractor.

According to another arrangement, the rod (25) has in its rear lower part a lug (29) capable of cooperating with the elevator (26) as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8 showing the different phases during the displacement of the rod (25 ).

The elevator (26) comprises a loading lever (26-1) articulated in its rear part on an axis (26-2) and extending with an external part forming a cam (26-3) also articulated on said axis to the 'against an elastic return means (30), one end (30-1) is fixed to the loading lever. The elevator is stressed in movement by the displacement of the rod (25) under the following conditions.

In the initial position, the rod (25) is set back from the elevator. Following the driving movement given by the lever (24) during the displacement of the piston (17) in the gas expansion chamber, the rod (25) moves forward so that the lug (29) comes to bear on the cam (26-3) which disappears by tilting against the aforementioned elastic return means (30) which is compressed. The lug (29) being located in front of the cam (26-3), the latter returns to position by the rebound effect of the spring. When the rod (25) returns to its initial position, the lug (29) will again come into abutment on the cam (26-3) but on the other side of the latter. Said cam can not tilt in the opposite direction, the action of the lug (29) will cause the tilting of the elevator (26) relative to its axis of articulation and thus authorize the loading of a new cartridge in the rifle barrel, when returning to its initial position, Figures 13 and 14.

Referring to Figures 2, 15 and 16, the lifting means performs a second function in the case of the tilting barrel.

The front end (26-4) of the loading lever (26) is substantially supported on the metal part (35), known per se, associated with the front of the barrel (36). When the rifle opens, the loading lever is thus tilted relative to its articulation axis (26-2) and undergoes a pivoting movement. The end (6-1) of the dog (6) which is in contact with said loading lever (26) is thus tilted relative to its axis of articulation, against its return spring and thus armed.

The arming of the dog for other shots is carried out in the manner described above.

Another embodiment of the barrel locking mechanism for loading is illustrated in Figures 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, the piston (32) performing the same function as the piston (17) in the implementation previous, includes directly or in a reported manner a tubular intermediate body (32-1) of small diameter inserted in the front extension of the magazine tube (9), a front end (32-2) cooperating inside the sheath under the thrust of the gases, and a rear part established in the form of a cylindrical sleeve (32-3) slidingly adjusting in the magazine tube. Inside the piston is mounted a pin (33) in a fixed position, secured by its front part (33-1) by screwing and detachably to the outer front face of the sheath. The rear end of said axis has a bearing surface (33-2) of larger section fitting inside the sleeve part (32-3) of the piston. The recovery spring (20) of the barrel is mounted around the intermediate body of the piston and bears against the outside face of the manhole cover, and the bottom (9-1) of the magazine tube.

Furthermore, a locking means is provided. from the barrel. This means consists of a finger (34) disposed on the rear bearing surface (33-2) of said axis radially outwardly adjusting and cooperating in a slot (32-4) established on the sleeve of the piston. This slot is arranged angularly relative to the longitudinal axis of the piston. It is also produced on the magazine tube opposite the aforementioned slot, a groove (21) for guiding a certain length acting as a movement limitation of the finger (34). This groove has a notch (21-1) in the form of a bayonet serving as a means of housing and locking the finger (34).

The operation is as follows. When fired under the thrust of gas action, the piston (32) is subjected to a forward movement. By the effect of the slot (32-4) acting as a cam, the finger (34) is tilted angularly by a few degrees thereby allowing it to escape from the notch or notch (21-1) established on the magazine tube. The finger (34) can then slide in a controlled and limited manner in abutment by the bottom of the groove thus authorizing the displacement of the barrel-barrel assembly. Under the opposite effect of expansion of the recovery spring of the barrel, and the return of the piston, the finger (34) gradually returns to the reverse position; at the end of the groove (21), the finger moves angularly under the final action of relaxation of the spring and locks in the notch (21-1) blocking the barrel in position.

This second embodiment of the barrel locking mechanism is easy to produce in the manufacture of parts and allows the barrel to be changed easily since it suffices to loosen the fixing screw of the axle (33).

There is also reason to think that the sleeve (32) is associated with the rod (25) described above. The connection is made by screw or otherwise.

The provisions of the invention are also applicable to the automatic rifle with a non-tilting barrel. Illustrated in Figure 23, the alternative embodiment which comprises, in addition to the various mechanisms described above, an additional part (31) movable and displaceable relative to the magazine tube. This part performs the function of a plunger with two lateral flanges (31-1) (31-2) provided with an opening for sliding on the magazine tube. The lateral flange (31-1) is disposed relative to the ring (19) by serving as a rear stop means. The lateral flange (31-2) is intended to bear against the opposite face of the sheath (14). The pusher is attached to the front part of the wood.

To ensure manual arming, the shooter acts directly on the pusher element (31) which thus displaces the ring (19) forwards, thus ensuring the unlocking of the barrel by escaping the lock. By its front flange (31-2) the pusher abuts against the sheath (14) integral with the barrel allowing the movement of the assembly and the introduction of a new cartridge into the barrel. The filling of the magazine tube is carried out from below the rifle in a conventional manner.

As a variant of FIG. 23, the locking mechanism of the barrel can be similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 22 of the Application, as illustrated in FIG. 24.

The advantages emerge clearly from the invention. The reliability of the rifle's operation and its small size are emphasized.

Claims (14)

1. Automatic gun operated by gas tapping, of the type which includes a barrel moving forwardly owing to the gas pressure, the barrel (7) being mounted with a shifting capacity in the forward direction relative to the magazine tube (9) positioned fixedly, the front part of said barrel receiving in the lower portion thereof a sheath (14) forming internally a gas expansion chamber in communication with the barrel, said magazine tube having an extension engaged partly within the sheath without obturating the opening for the passage of the gases therethrough, a piston (17) (32) moving slidably within said sheath under the urging action of the gases working on the rearward portion of the piston and against the recovery spring (20) of the barrel through the intermediary of a movable means (19) (32¹) connected to the piston (17 - 32) for the unlocking of the barrel and the shifting thereof relative to the magazine tube, said means being controlled by a pair of link-rods (24) (25) moving slidably along the magazine tube and the drop-down device or the framework in order to permit the cocking of the percussion hammer (6) and the upward motion of the cartridge elevator means (26) for the supply of the cartridge into the barrel tube.
2. Automatic gun as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the sheath (14) is provided with a bearing face (15) for connection to and communication with the inside or bore of the barrel for the passage of the gases therethrough in urging action on the piston (17) (32), said sheath being also provided in the rearward portion thereof with an opening (14-2) for the exhaust of the gases remaining when the piston is being retracted.
3. Automatic gun as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the rod (18) of the piston (17) is passed through the front extension portion of the magazine tube and is associated at the end thereof with the additional means (19) which forms a ring moving slidably along the magazine tube on suitable guide grooves (21).
4. Automatic gun as claimed in Claims 1 and 3 together, characterized in that the recovery spring (20) of the barrel is disposed around the rod (18) of the piston and is held in position by means of the end (9-1) of the magazine tube and of an inside abutment face (19-1) of the ring.
5. Automatic gun as claimed in Claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the ring (19) and the magazine tube are provided with a notch forming cut-out (19-2) for constituting the seat of a drop-down latch (22) the axis of which is integral with the barrel, said latch interlocking positionally the barrel relative to the magazine tube.
6. Automatic gun as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the piston (32) comprises an intermediate tubular body (32-1) inserted within the extension of the magazine tube, a front end (32-2) co-operating inside the sheath, and a sleeve-forming rear end (32-3) fitting slidably within the magazine tube, a pin (33) with fixed position being disposed and fitted within said piston and made fast by the front portion thereof in a detachable manner at the front face of the sheath, the barrel recovery spring being positioned around said pin.
7. Automatic gun as claimed in Claim 6, characterized in that a barrel interlocking means established in the form of a finger (34) is disposed on the rear bearing face (33-2) of said pin (33) directed radially and outwardly and fitting into a contoured slot (32-4) established at an angle on the sleeve (32-3) of the piston, a guide groove (21) being provided on the magazine tube facing said slot.
8. Automatic gun as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that the slot (21) is shaped in the form of a bayonet with a cut-off (21-1) for the accommodation and the interlocking of the finger (34) making the barrel unable to be moved positionally.
9. Automatic gun as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that the pair of link-rods (24) (25) includes a first link-rod (24) associated with the barrel interlocking means (19) or (32 - 33 - 34)provided at the extreme end with a cut-off (24-1) co-operating with a complementary contour (25-1) established at the front and opposite end of the second link-rod (25), said second link-rod moving slidably along the drop-down system and being provided more-over with means co-operating with the percussion hammer and the elevator means for the supply of cartridges in the gun.
10. Automatic gun as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that the link-rod (25) is provided along the length thereof with an abutment face (25-2) of a finger (27) disposed in projection on the percussion hammer (6) causing thereby said hammer to be dropped down and cocked against a return means (28), and permitting therefore the cocking of the hammer when the gun is further fired in succession.
11. Automatic gun as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that the link-rod (25) is provided in the rear portion thereof with an upper lug or ear (25-3) which forms an ejection device.
12. Automatic gun as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that the link-rod (25) is provided in the rear lower portion thereof with a clip (29) which co-operates when the link-rod is shifted with a cam (26-3) linked hingedly against a return means (30) and disposed on the loading lever (26-1), said lug or ear (29), in accordance with the position of the link-rod (25), causing either the cam to escape without modifying the position of the loading lever, or this loading lever to be rocked over relative to the pivotal axis thereof for loading the cartridges into the barrel.
13. Automatic gun as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that in the form of embodiment with a drop-down barrel, the loading lever (26) has the function of arming the hammer (6), the front end of said lever being in contact with the forewood of the barrel.
14. Automatic gun as claimed in Claims 1 to 12, with a barrel which is not a drop-down barrel, characterized in that said gun includes, for the manual loading of the cartridges, a pushing element (31) moving slidably along the magazine tube by means of two contoured cheeks, the ring (19) coming to front abutment onto the front cheek (31-1), and the cheek (31-2) coming to rest against the front face of the sheath (14), the shifting of the unit providing the the release of the barrel owing to the unlocking of said barrel, and permitting the introduction of a fresh cartridge in the magazine tube.

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