EP0525613B1 - Plastic cartridge and plastic cartridge strip magazine - Google Patents

Abstract

The cartridge (23) is composed of a plastic sleeve body (16) and a plastic cover (20). A first retaining space (46) for retaining a firing charge (52) and a second retaining space (48) for retaining a propulsion charge (60) are accommodated in the sleeve body (16). A plastic firing pin (30), which is flexibly connected to the cover (20), is immersed in the first retaining space (46). If pressure is applied by means of an impact bolt (66) onto the rear end (40) of the firing pin (30), the latter is moved forwards into the first retaining space (46), its sharp front impact end (32) acting on the firing charge (52) in order to detonate said firing charge. The firing charge (52) is accommodated in the shape of a funnel in a conical depression (53) in the first retaining space (46). The impact end (32) of the firing pin, which is immersed in the firing charge (52), produces friction in the firing charge material, and hence friction heat therein. As a result of this 'broaching detonating principle', it is possible to achieve reliable detonation of the firing charge (52) despite the use of plastic, which is considerably softer than metal, as the material for the sleeve body (16) and for the firing pin (30). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a cartridge made of plastic, with a plastic sleeve body open on one side for receiving a propellant charge and an ignition set for igniting the propellant charge when pressure is applied to the ignition charge, and a plastic cover for closing the open end of the sleeve body. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cartridge tape magazine made of plastic with a sleeve body strip made of plastic, which has a plurality of interconnected sleeve bodies, and a closure cover strip made of plastic, which has a plurality of interconnected closure cover parts for closing the sleeve body.

Such (propellant) cartridges made of plastic are used in shooting devices, in particular bolt-setting devices of the most varied types. The cartridges are mostly integrated in magazine strips (cartridge tape magazine). Plastic cartridges can also be used in central firearms. The advantages of plastic cartridges are in particular the relatively low material and manufacturing costs; the cartridges can be manufactured using spray technology. The plastic cartridge mentioned at the outset or the plastic tape cartridge magazine mentioned at the outset is known from EP 377 924 A1 or EP 0 390 738 A1.

A certain problem with plastic cartridges is the initiation of the primer by the firing pin. On the one hand, this is due to the plasticity of the plastic material, which dampens the firing pin energy, which is why the momentum with which the firing pin hits the cover or the sleeve body must be increased. Secondly, the initiation of the primer in plastic cartridges is difficult because the primer is inserted between two layers of plastic material. The deformation energy generated by the firing pin only gives a sufficient temperature increase in the ignition charge in such circumstances when the pressure (force / area) or deformation under this pressure in the ignition charge is far higher than plastic allows. Adequate pressings of the primer can only be achieved if the primer is located between two metal parts, as is the case with metal cartridges. Due to their material peculiarities, primers cannot be made into any formability (force / path). Because of the properties of thermoplastic materials described here in particular, the use of plastic cartridges instead of metal cartridges is not readily possible in the bolt-actuating devices or central firearms designed for metal cartridges.

From US-A-2,679,803 a cartridge for toys is known, in which the firing pin is guided in a hole in the lid or a sealing plug. A disadvantage of this embodiment is the very complex production, since different parts have to be connected to one another.

The invention has for its object to provide a plastic cartridge and a plastic cartridge tape magazine of the type mentioned, which work in the conventional shooting devices, which have so far been integrated with metal cartridges in loading strips, without changing the device or the firing pin mechanism can be used.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 21.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes a plastic cartridge that has one side has open sleeve body for receiving a propellant charge and an ignition set for igniting the propellant charge when pressurizing the ignition charge and a cover for closing the open end of the sleeve body, wherein in the space delimited by the sleeve body and cover, a plastic ignition pin coupled to the cover in axial direction Direction is arranged to be longitudinally displaceable and the firing pin can be moved when pressure is exerted on the cover in the region of its coupling with the firing pin and acts (mechanically) to ignite the firing charge. According to the cartridge tape magazine according to the invention, several such cartridges are integrated in a magazine strip.

The cartridge according to the invention is provided with an ignition pin which is moved forward by the firing pin acting on the cartridge (cover) and acts with its striking end on the firing charge in order to initiate it. The firing pin energy is thus converted into kinetic energy for the firing pin, which in turn transfers this energy to the firing pin by deforming it in order to ignite the firing pin. The firing pin thus acts as a transmission element for transmitting the firing pin energy to the firing charge. A transmission of the energy of the firing pin through the cartridge wall, ie through the lid which is rigid in this respect, is not provided according to the invention; rather, the cartridge according to the invention is provided with an element which converts the firing pin energy into kinetic energy, namely the firing pin. The damping of the firing pin energy by the plastic material is significantly reduced compared to known plastic cartridges. So you can trigger the plastic cartridge according to the invention with the aid of the firing pin mechanism designed for metal cartridges, without changes to the devices having to be made.

In an advantageous development of the invention it is provided that the striking end of the firing pin acting on the primer is tapered, preferably conical, and the primer is arranged in a preferably conical recess or depression of the sleeve body corresponding to the shape of the striking end. In the area in which the ignition charge is accommodated in the sleeve body, it has a funnel shape. The surface of the recess preferably runs parallel to the outer surface of the striking end of the firing pin. When the striking end of the firing pin hits the firing primer, the striking end exerts pressure on the firing primer.

At the same time, however, particles of the ignition charge are rubbed against each other, so that the kinetic energy of the ignition pin is converted into friction energy in the ignition charge. Because of the pointed, conical firing pin and the funnel-shaped design of the recess of the sleeve body that receives the firing charge, a large friction path is achieved. The frictional energy in the cartridge according to the invention is therefore generated primarily by increasing the depth of penetration of the firing pin striking end into the firing charge. This is favored by the design of the firing pin striking end and the sleeve body recess or recess described here. Because of the "tapping ignition principle" according to the invention, a smaller amount of primer with a reduced proportion of friction agent can be used A sufficient ignition of the propellant charge can be achieved, which has the consequence that the device pollution, in particular the device erosion compared to the previous cartridges is significantly reduced.

With the help of the firing principle above, in which the pointed striking end of the firing pin penetrates into a kind of primer set, so to speak, in the negative or counter shape at the striking end and the funnel-shaped priming head shaped in this way is arranged in a recess or depression corresponding to the shape of the striking end, can be arranged of the ignition material between two comparatively relatively soft plastic parts achieve a reliable ignition, since the ignition material is rubbed when the two plastic parts move relative and heats up in the process. The friction energy is achieved by tangential displacement ("shear") of very small amounts of primer charge (the layer thickness between the recess wall and the striking one is small), which is created by a self-forming pressure system (the pressure under which the primer layer is due to the conical Areas of the striking end and the depression steadily larger). The frictional heat is mainly achieved by increasing the friction path with reduced pressure values.

Advantageously, the primer is given a hollow cone shape when introduced into the conical recess of the plastic cartridge. With its pointed striking end, the firing pin first dips into the conical cavity of the firing charge thus shaped. In this case, energy for displacing the material of the ignition charge on all sides is not required. Almost all of the energy from the firing pin can be converted into friction energy when the firing pin is advanced.

Another advantage of the plastic cartridge according to the invention is that the primer is arranged at a relatively large distance from the opening of the sleeve body or from the lid of the cartridge. This has particular advantages when using bulk tools; Because the compacting of the primer pill, which is preferably introduced as a wet charge, is now provided to the extent that the cartridge (cover and / or sleeve body) no longer or hardly soiled during mass processing due to the priming charge material that oozed out during compression due to the large depth of the wet charge. The compression of the inserted primer pill is achieved only by axially advancing the pill insertion plunger. The indentation punch likewise preferably has a conical tip, so that the firing charge is given the hollow cone shape described above when the firing charge pill is compressed.

The introduction of the primer in the form of a wet charge has primarily safety-related advantages (dust-free). The "harder" components of the primer (e.g. glass particles - as a friction agent) can press into the comparatively soft plastic material when the primer is inserted into the cartridge, which is why the primer "grabs" the cartridge. This effect occurs in the cartridge according to the invention both when the primer charge is introduced as a wet charge and when it is introduced as a dry charge.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the sleeve body has a first receiving space, corresponding in cross section to the igniter pin, for receiving the igniter charge and the igniter pin and that the firing pin is longitudinally displaceable in the first receiving space. The first receiving space preferably has the shape of a blind hole. The conical recess for (at least partially) receiving the ignition charge is advantageously arranged at the end opposite the opening of the first receiving space. The firing pin can lie with its outer peripheral surface in a sealing manner on the inner surface of the first receiving space. Both the first receiving space and the firing pin are preferably cylindrical. Due to the design of the first receiving space described here, the primer can be introduced into the cartridge in a particularly simple manner without the cartridge being contaminated by the primer substance. The all-round guidance of the firing pin in the first receiving space ensures reliable guidance of the firing pin without it being able to tilt.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it is further provided that the ignition pin for longitudinally displaceable guiding in the first receiving space has an enlarged cross section in its area facing the cover, which cross section is slightly smaller than or equal to the cross section of the first receiving space. The rear part of the firing pin is therefore enlarged in cross section and lies in this area on the inner surface of the first receiving space. The firing pin is slimmer in the area of its striking end, which is why the pointed striking end is surrounded on all sides by firing primer material when entering the primer.

The firing pin is preferably in contact with a one-piece molded circumferential radial sealing lip provided on the inner wall of the first receiving space. The sealing lip is preferably designed such that it is pressed against the inner surface of the first receiving space by the increased combustion gas pressure when the ignition charge is ignited. This prevents the combustion gases from escaping from the first receiving space in an unintended direction and prevents the ignition pin from being moved back by the contact pressure of the sealing lip against the inner surface of the receiving space.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the cover has increased flexibility in the area of the coupling with the firing pin. This increased flexibility allows the firing pin to advance when the firing pin acts on the cartridge. The ignition pin is preferably connected in one piece to the cover, the connection being designed in such a way that the ignition pin can be displaced in the axial direction while maintaining the connection with the cover. Such a connection can be realized, for example, by appropriate elasticity of the cover in the area of the connection with the ignition pin. To this end, it is advantageously provided that the cover in the edge region around the end of the ignition pin connected to it is made thinner than the cover in the rest of the region. The material properties of the plastic of the cartridge are such that the elasticity allows the firing pin to move while maintaining the mechanical connection with the cartridge.

Advantageously, the ignition pin is connected in an articulated manner to the cover at its end connected to the cover and facing away from the striking end. This articulated connection can be realized for example by a film hinge or a ring membrane. All of the above-mentioned connections have the advantage that the firing pin can be produced in one piece with the cover as a plastic injection molded part.

It is advantageous if the articulated connection of the ignition pin and the cover is designed such that the plastic material does not experience any expansion when the ignition pin is moved forward. This is realized in that the cover in the ring area around the firing pin extends in the manner of a truncated cone to the firing pin. The firing pin is in its retracted position, which it assumes in order to be advanced when the firing pin acts. As soon as the firing pin has acted on the firing pin, the firing pin is advanced further into the sleeve body, the ring region now falling towards the end of the firing pin; because when the ignition pin is in its feed position, the outer surface of the cover projects beyond the end face of the ignition pin, so the ignition pin is pressed in. The articulated connection of the firing pin and cover has the advantage that the firing pin energy is not required for the expansion of the plastic material, so the firing pin strikes the firing charge with higher energy.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the first receiving space has, in addition to its elongated first partial space corresponding to the firing pin in cross section, a second partial space which opens into the conical region of the first partial space. The primer charge pressed into the first receiving space, which is preferably introduced as a wet charge is introduced in the laboratory by the indentation stamp both into the second part space and into the conical area of the first part space of the first receiving space. The material of the primer extends as a continuous layer connecting the two subspaces. The much smaller proportion of primer material is located in the conical depression of the first subspace. When the ignition charge material is ignited in the first partial space, the ignition charge material located in the second partial space also ignites. As a result, only a limited portion or area of the ignition charge is heated by friction to above the auto-ignition temperature. Because of the low mass or the small volume of the ignition charge material in the first partial space, the heat dissipation when the ignition pin acts is also lower, which is why the ignition charge tends to ignite.

In the cartridge according to the invention it is also advantageous that the priming charge and propellant charge are accommodated in the sleeve body completely separately from one another. For this purpose, both sets are accommodated in separate receiving spaces, the partition wall separating the two spaces being designed as a burst wall which breaks open when the ignition charge is ignited, so that the combustion gases reach the propellant charge and ignite it. The rupture wall either has a wall thickness which ensures breakup from a certain (combustion) gas pressure in the first receiving space or corresponding predetermined breaking points.

The sleeve body is advantageously provided with predetermined breaking points (star embossing) in the region of the (second) receiving space for the propellant charge in order to prevent it from bursting open to facilitate or enable the cartridge when the propellant charge is ignited.

A fundamental problem when using plastic for cartridges, (practice) cartridges and the like. consists in the low strength of the material compared to metal. If the cartridge (cartridge) in the cartridge or cartridge chamber is (almost) completely enclosed by these, the relatively low strength of the plastic plays a subordinate role. However, it becomes problematic for those shooting devices which are equipped with magazine cartridges, e.g. work with cartridges integrated in a magazine strip. With these devices, e.g. Bolt-setting devices, there are areas in the cartridge store that do not enclose the cartridge, namely at those points where the magazine strip is guided into and out of the cartridge store. In order to achieve sufficient stability and strength of the cartridge wall on these sections of the cartridge, in particular in the transition area from the lid to the sleeve body, it is provided according to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention that the lid has a relatively thick peripheral edge projecting into the interior of the sleeve body, which runs adjacent to the inner surface of the sleeve body or the receiving space for the propellant charge. The cover, which in turn is preferably inserted into the sleeve body by clamping and / or latching, is secured against detachment by the cartridge or cartridge bearing when the propellant charge is ignited.

The protruding edge of the cover, which can be inserted into the opening of the sleeve body, preferably projects beyond the sealing lip the firing pin down, which makes it easier to put the cover on.

As already mentioned above, the cartridge according to the invention can be used both for shot devices with edge ignition and for shot devices with central ignition. Depending on the type of device, the ignition pin is located at different positions on the cover, namely in the first case in the edge area, i.e. off-center, and in the second case in the middle of the lid. The exact arrangement of the firing pin depends on the position of the firing pin of the shooting device. For the above-mentioned stability or strength of the cartridge in a shooting device using magazine-sintered cartridges, the eccentric arrangement of the firing set in the edge region is advantageous, with all firing pins being arranged along the center line of the magazine band. The firing pin of a cartridge is thus arranged in the area facing an adjacent cartridge. In this area, the cartridge bearing does not completely surround the sleeve body. When the cartridge is ignited, the firing pin increases the strength since it is arranged between the propellant charge and the "laterally open" area of the cartridge bearing.

The arrangement of the firing pin in the edge region of the cartridge also has the advantage that the firing charge is only protected from the environment by the sleeve body wall. This protection is sufficient as far as mechanical effects from the outside are concerned and, in addition, it allows the igniter to burn off safely in this area when the cartridge is exposed to heat due to the thin walls of the sleeve body, the burst wall between the igniter and Propellant charge prevents ignition of the propellant charge. Due to the poor thermal conductivity of plastic, the igniter withstands a short exposure to heat (temperatures of over 130 ° C are not critical anyway). In the preferred arrangement of the ignition charge on the longitudinal central axis of the magazine strip, the ignition charge is particularly well protected.

The above advantageous configurations of the cartridge can also be used in the cartridge tape magazine according to the invention. The cartridge tape magazine according to the invention is essentially of two parts and consists of a plurality of sleeve bodies integrated in a plastic strip and a plurality of closure lid parts integrated in a closure lid strip for closing the open sides of the sleeve body. In order to be able to compensate for differences between the spacings of the sleeve bodies on the one hand and the spacings of the closure cover parts on the other hand, according to an advantageous development of the cartridge tape magazine according to the invention it is provided that the individual closure cover parts are elastically connected to one another (by means of flexible film hinges). In the area of its film hinges, the plastic sealing strip is arched, i.e. at a distance from the sleeve body strip. In this way, the distance between adjacent closure cover parts can be adapted to the distance between associated adjacent sleeve bodies.

In the area of its film hinges, the closure lid can be of the same width as the closure lid parts; but it is also possible that the side edges of the film hinges are formed with edge recesses. This creates the top of the sealing strip directed (edge) relief holes or openings. If a gas escapes from a cartridge between a sealing cap part and a sleeve body, the sealing cap part is not lifted off or even ignited on an adjacent cartridge by allowing the gas to escape through the relief holes or openings in the area of the film hinge before it reaches the adjacent cartridge .

The film hinges can also be designed in the manner of flexible tongues or webs with spaces in between; the free spaces then represent the relief holes or openings.

The closure cover strip is advantageously held in a clamping and snap-in manner on the sleeve body strip. For this purpose, the sleeve body strip advantageously has, on its two longitudinal sides, the surface of the upper side which is provided with the sleeve body openings and has projecting thickened edge strips which are essentially square or rectangular in cross section. The sealing strip is inserted with its outside edges in a clamping and latching manner against the mutually facing inner surfaces of the edge strips designed in the manner of flanges.

At one end of the plastic sleeve body strip, the two edge strips are directed away from one another laterally. Clearances are formed at this end between the edge strips and the remaining part of the sleeve body strip. The ends of the edge strips directed away from each other form a lock that prevents the cartridge tape magazine from being inserted if the alignment is incorrect.

The cartridge tape magazine according to the invention can be designed both as a ring magazine and as a linear tape magazine. The receiving spaces for the igniter charges are preferably arranged along the center line of the strip when the sleeve body strip is viewed in plan view.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht eines geradlinigen Kartuschen-Bandmagazins mit 10 Kartuschen im zusammengebauten Zustand,

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite des Kartuschen-Bandmagazins, in der die Oberseite des Verschlußdeckelstreifens erkennbar ist,

Fig. 3

eine Vorderansicht des Kartuschen-Bandmagazins in Richtung des Pfeils III der Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht eines Verschlußdeckelstreifenendes von unten (ohne Hülsenkörperstreifen),

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie V-V der Fig. 4 des Verschlußdeckelstreifens an dessen einem Ende,

Fig. 6

eine Ansicht eines Hülsenkörpers im Längsschnitt ohne Verschlußdeckel,

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf den Hülsenkörperstreifen an dessen Ende (ohne Verschlußdeckelstreifen),

Fig. 8

eine Kartusche des Kartuschen-Bandmagazins im Schnitt entlang der Längsmittelachse des Bandmagazins (Linie VIII-VIII der Fig. 2) mit noch nicht auf die Kartusche einwirkendem Schlagbolzen,

Fig. 9

eine Teilschnittansicht der Kartusche nach Fig. 8 bei auf diese einwirkendem Schlagbolzen und gezündetem Anzünd- sowie Treibladungssatz und

Fig. 10

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie X-X der Fig. 2.

An exemplary embodiment of the cartridge tape magazine according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. In detail show:

Fig. 1

a side view of a linear cartridge tape magazine with 10 cartridges in the assembled state,

Fig. 2

a plan view of the top of the cartridge tape magazine, in which the top of the sealing strip can be seen,

Fig. 3

a front view of the cartridge tape magazine in the direction of arrow III of FIG. 1,

Fig. 4

a view of a sealing cap strip end from below (without sleeve body strips),

Fig. 5

4 shows a section along the line VV of FIG. 4 of the sealing strip at one end thereof,

Fig. 6

2 shows a view of a sleeve body in longitudinal section without a closure cover,

Fig. 7

a plan view of the sleeve body strip at the end (without sealing strip),

Fig. 8

a cartridge of the cartridge tape magazine in section along the longitudinal central axis of the tape magazine (line VIII-VIII of FIG. 2) with firing pin not yet acting on the cartridge,

Fig. 9

a partial sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 8 with the firing pin acting on it and the ignited ignition and propellant charge and

Fig. 10

a section along the line XX of Fig. 2nd

In Figs. 1 to 3, a cartridge tape magazine made of plastic is shown in side, top and front views. The tape magazine 10 consists of two plastic strips which are connected to one another in a latching manner, namely a sleeve body strip 12 and a sealing cover strip 14. The sleeve body strip 12 has a plurality of sleeve bodies 16 arranged next to one another, which are connected to one another via a plastic edge 17 of the sleeve body strip 12 and each have a cap-like shape Have a conical shape with a round bottom part 18 facing away from the sealing strip 14. The sleeve body 16 which is open towards the closure cover strip 14 is closed by closure cover parts 20 which are connected to one another in an articulated manner and are integrated in a plastic band 21 of the closure cover strip 14. The sleeve body strip 12 has bead-like edge strips 22 on its two long sides. These edge strips 22 protrude upward above the sealing strip 14 and enclose it in a clamping and latching manner between them. Both the sleeve body strip 12 and the closure cover strip 14 are made in one piece as plastic injection molded parts. The The sleeve body 16 together with the closure cover parts 20 form the cartridges 23.

The more precise structure of the two strips 12, 14 of the tape magazine 10 is shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 shown. The essentially rectangular sealing cover parts 20 are connected to one another via membranes acting as film hinges. In the area of the film hinges 24, the closure lid strip 14 has a reduced thickness. The film hinges 24 are provided with edge recesses 26 on their two exposed edges. The meaning of these edge recesses 26 will be explained further below.

The closure cover part 20 (representative of all the closure cover parts will be described in more detail below) has a closed collar edge 28 which projects downwards at right angles and runs in the manner of a sickle. In the area defined by the edge 28, the closure cover part 20 has a greater thickness than in the rest of the area (see FIG. 5). The edge 28 tapers conically towards its free end; the outer surface of the edge 28 runs perpendicular to the upper side of the cover part 20.

A plastic ignition pin 30, which, like the edge 28, projects downward from the closure cover part 20 is integrally connected to the closure cover part 20. The cylindrical firing pin 30 has a larger diameter in the section which adjoins the end connected to the closure cover part 20 than in the region of its free (striking) end 32. This free end 32 of the firing pin 30 is conical and tapering educated. In the transition area of the Portion of increased diameter to the portion of reduced diameter of the firing pin 30, this is provided with an axially open annular groove 34, so that a sealing lip 36 formed on the portion of increased diameter results.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5 can be seen, the firing pin 30 is located next to the crescent-like edge 28 of the closure cover part 20, the portion of the rim 28 facing the firing pin partially surrounding the firing pin 30 and extending parallel to the circumference of the firing pin 30. In the ring area 38 around the end 40 of the ignition pin 30 connected to the cover part 20, the cover strip 14 has a reduced thickness; the ring region 38 is designed in the manner of a membrane or a film hinge, which allows the ignition pin 30 to move axially while maintaining the connection with the sealing cap strip 14 or the sealing cap part 20. The annular region 38 rises towards the end 40 of the firing pin 30, the end face at the end 40 of the firing pin 30 projecting beyond the outer cover surface 42 when the firing pin is in the retracted or initial position shown in FIG. 5. In this initial position, as will be described later, the firing pin acts, for example, on a bolt-actuating device on the end 40 of the firing pin 30 in order to axially move the firing pin 30 into its feed position, in which the striking end 32 acts mechanically on an ignition set accommodated in the sleeve body 16 . When the ignition pin 30 is in its feed position, the end face of the ignition pin end 40 is located below the outer surface 42 of the closure cover part, the Ring area 38 runs towards the end 40 of the firing pin 30. As can be seen from FIG. 5 in particular, the closure cover part 20 has a circular recess 44, in the area of which the firing pin 30 is connected to the closure cover part 20 via the film hinge ring region 38.

The design of the sleeve body of the sleeve body strip 12 is described below with reference to the in FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrated sleeve body 16 explained. The sleeve body 16 has a first receiving space 46 and a second receiving space 48. Both receiving spaces 46, 48 are separated from one another by a partition 50 and are otherwise delimited by the wall of the sleeve body 16. The first receiving space 46 serves to receive the firing pin 30 and the above-mentioned primer 52. The first receiving space 46 consequently has a partial space which is essentially cylindrical in the manner of a blind hole, the bottom of the bore being designed as a conical depression 53. In the area of its opening 54, the first receiving space 46 has an enlarged diameter, which facilitates the introduction of the firing pin 30 when the sealing cap strip 14 is placed on the sleeve body strip 12. The second receiving space 48 has the opening 55.

In addition to the essentially cylindrical first partial space 56 described so far, the first receiving space 46 also includes a second partial space 58, which opens into the conical end 53 of the first partial space 56. The two subspaces are connected to one another via the cone wall of the first subspace. The second compartment 58 serves to receive the ignition charge 52, which is also housed in part in the first subspace 56, in the region of its conical end 53. The second partial space 58 is separated from the second receiving space 48 by the partition 50.

The second receiving space 48 serves to receive the propellant charge 60, which is ignited by the combustion gases generated when the ignition charge 52 is ignited. The second receiving space 48 extends into the region of the bottom 18 of the sleeve body 16, where the sleeve body 16 has on its inside a star embossment, indicated at 62 in FIG. 7, for producing predetermined breaking points.

Below is based on the in Figs. 8 and 9 show cross-sectional views of an assembled cartridge 23, the mode of operation of which is explained in more detail.

In the assembled state of the tape magazine 10, in which the sealing cap strip 14 is attached to the sleeve body strip 12, the edge 28 of the sealing cap part 20 is immersed in the second receiving space 48, its outer surface on the inner surface delimiting the second receiving space 48 in the region of its opening 55 of the sleeve body 16 and lies tight against the partition 50. In this state, the ignition pin 30 is immersed in the first subspace 56 of the first receiving space 46, its striking end 32 being arranged at a distance from the conical depression 53 at the end of the first subspace 56. The ignition pin 30 is initially in its retracted position, in which the end face of its end 40 connected to the closure cover part 20 projects beyond the surface 42 of the closure cover part 20. During the propellant charge 60 completely fills the area of the second receiving space 48 below the edge of the sealing cover part 28, the igniter 52 has a cavity 64 on its side facing the striking end 32. This cavity is created by the way in which the firing charge is introduced in the laboratory. The ignition charge 56 is first introduced as a wet charge pill into the first subspace 56 of the first receiving space 46. Subsequently, the wet charge pill is pressed far into the receiving space 46 with the aid of a taper-shaped stamp, the material of the primer 52 being pressed both into the second partial space of the first receiving space 46 and into the conical depression of the first partial space 56. Due to the conical configuration of the end of the impression plunger, the material of the ignition charge 52 located in the first partial space 56 is incorporated into the material shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 brought shape, which is essentially like a hollow cone. The conical end 53 of the first partial space 56 of the first receiving space 46 is therefore covered with igniting material in a relatively small layer thickness. When the ignition charge 52 introduced as a wet charge dries, it keeps its shape.

The trigger in the fig. 8 and 9 at 66 indicated firing pin on the end 40 of the firing pin 30 connected to the cover part 20, whereupon the latter moves axially in the longitudinal direction within the first receiving space. The conical impact tip 32 acts on the primer layer at the conical end 53 of the first receiving space 46. Frictional heat is generated in the ignition charge layer, which is then used for ignition of the ignition charge material. The frictional heat is largely achieved due to the relatively long friction path of the striking end 32 in the primer layer; the pressure with which the striking end 32 of the firing pin 30 acts on the firing material rather plays a subordinate role. The choice of the material of the sleeve body 16 (plastic) favors the ignition of the ignition charge 52, since the frictional heat generated therein is hardly dissipated due to the relatively poor thermal conductivity of plastic. As soon as the primer 52 is ignited, combustion gases develop. The rapidly increasing gas pressure in the first receiving space presses the sealing lip 36 of the firing pin 30 against the inner wall of the first receiving space and thus ensures a gas-tight closure of the first receiving space 46 to the outside and a high contact pressure, by means of which the firing pin 30 prevents displacement in the direction of its Retreat position is secured. The rise in gas pressure finally leads to the bursting of the partition 50, which (in this respect) also takes on the function of a burst wall. The hot combustion gases flowing from the first receiving space 46 into the second receiving space 48 ignite the propellant charge 60, whereupon the sleeve body 16 tears open in the base area 18 and releases the gas flow. The situation described here is shown graphically in FIG. 9.

How to use the fig. 8 and 9 can be seen, the striking end 32 of the firing pin 30 is in its retracted position (FIG. 8) at a distance from the conical recess 53 of the first receiving space 46, while the conical surface of the striking end 32 when the firing pin 30 is in its advancing position (FIG. 9 ) on the conical surface of the depression of the first receiving space 46 is present. So that the ignition pin 30 can be moved forward in the axial direction to abut the conical recess 53 of the first receiving space 46, the plane in which the opening 54 of the first receiving space 46 lies is spaced apart from the ring area 38 connecting the ignition pin 30 to the cover part 20. When the ignition pin 30 is in its feed position, the ring region 38 extends around the end 40 of the ignition pin 30 in part in this free space above the opening 54 of the first receiving space 46 (see FIG. 9).

In Fig. 10, the clamping and latching connection of the sleeve body strips 12 and sealing cap strips 14 is shown in the drawing. The edge 28 of each closure cover part 20 is clamped against the inner surface of each sleeve body 16 that defines the second receiving space 48. The two edges 22 or edge strips of the sleeve body strip 12 protrude above the top of the closure cover strip 14 and have undercut recesses 68 on their mutually facing inner surface, into which the correspondingly shaped side edges 70 of the closure cover strip 14 are engaged.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the edges 22 of the sleeve body strip 12 have outer edge recesses 72 which are arranged at the level of the film hinges 24 connecting the individual closure cover parts 20. The recesses 72 do not extend over the entire thickness of the edges 22. The recesses 72 define the amount by which the tape magazine 10 must be advanced in order to load the next cartridge 23.

Both edges 22 are separated at one end of the sleeve body strip 12 from its remaining part and extend outward from one another. The width of the sleeve body strip 12 at this end is therefore greater than in the rest of the area of the sleeve body strip. This prevents incorrect insertion of the tape magazine 10 into the shooting device.

The tape magazine 10 shown in the figures and the cartridges 23 integrated therein have the features and properties listed below. The entire tape magazine 10 consists only of two injection-molded plastic parts, namely the sleeve body strip 12 and the sealing cover strip 14. Accordingly, each cartridge 23 consists only of the plastic sleeve body 16 and the plastic sealing cover part 20. Through the conical striking end 32 of the firing pin 30 and conical recess 53, in which a part of the igniter 52 is accommodated, the frictional energy required to ignite the igniter 52 is generated when the striking end 32 acts on the igniter by a relatively large friction path. Due to this tapping ignition principle, the ignition charge 52 can be reliably ignited in spite of its arrangement between two relatively soft plastic parts, namely the firing pin striking end 32 and the wall of the conical recess 53 in the first receiving space 46 with correspondingly low ignition forces. The firing pin 30 is integrally connected to the cover parts.

The ignition charge 52 is introduced relatively deep into the sleeve body 16, so that contamination in the area of the sleeve body opening 54, 55 and thus leaks in the Parts of the cap do not occur. The ignition charge 52 can be accommodated in the first receiving space 46 simply by axially inserting a set pill. This axial introduction is very simple in terms of production technology and therefore inexpensive to implement. The tool for this is, for example, an axially displaceable punch, which presses the set cap axially into the first receiving space 46 up to its conical recess 64. Several such stamps can work at the same time in order to populate a large number of cartridges with the firing sets. This is simpler, faster and more cost-effective than the introduction of primer sets by "lubricating" the primer into the bottom folds of sleeves or cartridges with the aid of a rotating screwdriver-like tool. The lateral arrangement of the primer in the event of fire or heating creates a safe deflagration of the primer outside the firing unit without over-ignition of the propellant charge.

In the region of the conical depression of the first receiving space 46, the sleeve body wall 16 is relatively thin, which is indicated in the figures at 74 and is produced by a recess 76 formed in the conical depression 53. Due to the special arrangement of the ignition charge material in the form of a funnel and the ignition principle described above, reliable ignition of the propellant charge can be achieved with less ignition charge material. This means that fewer residues in the shooting device and lower pollutant emissions occur. Finally, there is more space left in the cartridge for the propellant charge.

The edge 28 of the sealing cap part 20, which acts as a sealing lip, is pressed securely against the inner wall of the sleeve body by the gas pressure when the propellant charge is ignited, so that no gas can escape through the sealing cap part 20 and the ignition pin 30 is held clamped. By choosing a suitable plastic, for example polycarbonate, and by correspondingly thick and high design of the edge 28 of the closure cover parts 20, lateral rupture of the cartridge 23 in the upper region of the sleeve body, which is not partially enclosed by the cartridge bearing, is largely prevented. The firing pin 30 is held clamped even when the propellant charge 60 is ignited, namely by the contact forces of the edge 28 of the sealing cap, which act on the firing pin 30 via the partition 50.

Should combustion gases nevertheless escape through the cover part 20, their forwarding to an adjacent cartridge due to the edge recesses 26 of the film hinges 24 of the cover strip 14 is prevented. In the case described above, these edge recesses 26 act like relief holes or openings through which the gases can escape before they reach the adjacent cartridge 23.

The sleeve body strips and sealing strip strips produced as tapes can be sprayed in the grid in such a way that multiple handling during manufacture is possible with the simplest means. Several sleeve body strips and several sealing cover strips are thus produced separately from one another. The sleeve bodies arranged in the grid are then fitted with the ignition and propellant charge sets. Then will the cover part grid is attached. The introduction of the firing pins into the openings 54 of the sleeve body is facilitated by the enlarged receiving spaces in the opening area. Since the edges 28 of the cap parts 20 protrude downward over their sealing lips 36 when the firing pins 30 are in the retracted position, the edges 28 are already immersed in the sleeve body before the firing pin can be pushed over when the cap parts are not placed on carefully. A firing pin 30, which does not run coaxially to the first receiving space 46, can consequently be inserted into the first receiving space 46 reliably and without problems during the production of the tape magazines.

When the cartridge 23 is in operation, the quantity of primer charge arranged in the funnel-shaped manner in the first receiving space 46 and the conical depression 53 force the primer pin 30 into the "igniter center" even if the firing pin 30 is deformed, thus ensuring correct functioning.

Claims (40)

1. A plastics cartridge case having

   - a plastics casing body (16) open at one side and for accommodating a propellent charge composition (60) and an ignition charge (52) for igniting the propellent charge composition (60) when the ignition charge (52) is subject to pressure action,

   - the cartridge case having a plastics cover (20) for sealing (54,55) the open end of the casing body (16), characterised in that

   - a plastics ignition pin (30) coupled to the cover (20) is arranged in chamber (46,48) defined by the casing body (16) and cover (20), such that it is longitudinally displaceable in the axial direction, and in that

   - the ignition pin (30) is able to be moved when pressure is applied to the cover (20) in the region of its coupling to the ignition pin (30), wherein in order to ignite the ignition charge (52) the ignition pin (30) acts on this and

   - the ignition pin (30) is connected to the cover (20) in one piece.
2. A cartridge case according to claim 1, characterised in that the striking end (32) of the ignition pin (30) acting on the ignition charge (52) is formed tapering to a point, preferably like a cone, and in that the ignition charge (52) is arranged in a recess (52) of the casing body (16) which is also preferably conical.
3. A cartridge case according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the casing body (16) has a first receiving chamber (46), corresponding in cross-section to the ignition charge (30), for accommodating the ignition charge (52) and the ignition pin (30), the ignition pin (30) being guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner in the first receiving chamber (46).
4. A cartridge case according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the first receiving chamber (46) has a conical shape tapering to a point at its end (53) opposite the opening (54).
5. A cartridge case according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the ignition pin (30) has an enlarged cross-section in its region facing the cover (20) for longitudinally displaceable guidance in the first receiving chamber (46), which cross-section is slightly smaller than or equal to the cross-section of the first receiving chamber (46).
6. A cartridge case according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the ignition pin (30) has an encircling sealing lip (36) preformed in one-piece for resting on and pressing against the internal surface of the first receiving chamber (46) when the ignition charge (52) is ignited.
7. A cartridge case according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the cover (20) or the wall of the casing body (16) has a region of increased flexibility in which the ignition pin (30) adjoins the cover (20) or the casing body (16).
8. A cartridge case according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the ignition pin (30) is connected in one piece to the cover (20) or to the casing body (16) such that, whilst maintaining the connection, it is able to be displaced in the axial direction.
9. A cartridge case according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the end (40) of the ignition pin (30) towards the cover (20) or the casing body (16) is connected by means of an encircling film hinge or an annular diaphragm (38) to the cover (20) or to the casing body (16).
10. A cartridge case according to claim 9, characterised in that the cover (20) or the casing body (16) has a reduced thickness in the annular region (28) around the ignition pin (30).
11. A cartridge case according to claim 10, characterised in that when the ignition pin (30) has not yet been acted upon by pressure, the cover (20) or the casing body (16) extends in the annular region (38) around the ignition pin (30) like a truncated cone rising to the ignition pin (30).
12. A cartridge case according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the end surface of the ignition pin (30) at its end connected to the cover (20) or to the casing body (16) projects above the external surface of the cover (20) or of the casing body (16) when the ignition pin (30) has not been acted upon by pressure.
13. A cartridge case according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterised in that the first receiving chamber (46) has a partial chamber (58) which opens into the region of its conical end (53) and in that the ignition charge (52) is introduced into this partial chamber (58) and into the conical end region (53) of the first receiving chamber (46).
14. A cartridge case according to claim 13, characterised in that in the casing body (16) next to the first receiving chamber (46) for the ignition charge (52) there is formed a second receiving chamber (48) for the propellent charge composition (60) and in that the two receiving chambers (46, 48) are separated from each other by a bursting wall (50), the bursting wall (50) breaking open when the ignition charge (52) is ignited, so that the combustion gases reach the propellent charge composition (60) and ignite this.
15. A cartridge case according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the casing body (16) is weakened at its end opposite the cover (20) in the region of its wall defining the receiving chamber (48) for the propellent charge composition (60) for bursting open when the propellent charge composition is ignited (60).
16. A cartridge case according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the cover (20) has an encircling collar rim (28) projecting inwardly into the casing body (16) and which rests on the internal surface of the casing body (16) which defines the receiving chamber (48) for the propellent charge composition (60).
17. A cartridge case according to one of claims 6 to 15 and 16, characterised in that, when the ignition pin (30) is located in its drawn-out position before being acted on by pressure, the collar rim (28) of the cover (20) overhangs downwardly the sealing lip (36) thereof.
18. A cartridge case according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the first receiving chamber (46) is arranged eccentrically in the rim region of the casing body (16).
19. A cartridge case according to claim 18, characterised in that the casing body (16) is formed with thin walls in the region of the end (53) of the first receiving chamber (46) provided with the ignition pin (30).
20. A cartridge case according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterised in that the cover (20) is inserted in a locking manner into the opening (54,55) of the casing body.
21. A plastics cartridge case-belt magazine which has

    - a plastics casing body strip (12) which has several casing bodies (16) open to one side and connected to each other for accommodating respectively a propellent charge composition (60) and an ignition charge (52) for igniting the propellent charge composition (60) and

    - a plastics sealing cover strip (14), which has several sealing cover parts (20) connected to each other for sealing the open ends of the casing bodies (16), with the casing body strip (12) and the sealing cover strip (14) being coupled to each other,

    characterised in that

    - that at least one ignition pin (30) movable in the axial direction is connected in one piece to each sealing cover part (20), and in that

    - a first receiving chamber (46) is formed in each casing body (16) for accommodating the ignition pin (30) and the ignition charge (52), with the ignition pin (30) being guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner in the axial direction in the first receiving chamber (46) and, when subject to pressure action, acting on the ignition charge (52) in order to ignite this.
22. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to claim 21, characterised in that the first receiving chambers (46) are formed in each case like a passage with an end (53) tapering preferably conically to a point and in that each ignition pin (30) is also formed at its free end (53) facing away from the associated sealing cover part (20) tapering to a point, preferably conically.
23. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to claim 22, characterised in that the surfaces of the ignition pin (30) and of the end (53) of the first receiving chamber (46) extend parallel to each other and rest against each other when the ignition pin (30) is subject to pressure.
24. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterised in that each ignition pin (30) has a sealing lip (36) for sealing and pressing against the internal face of the first receiving chamber (46) when the ignition charge (52) is ignited.
25. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to one of claims 21 to 24, characterised in that a narrow annular region (38) of each sealing cover part (20) is formed flexibly around the end of the associated ignition pin (30) connected to this, like a film hinge or a diaphragm, which enables axial movement of the ignition pin (30) in the first receiving chamber (46).
26. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to claim 25, characterised in that the narrow annular region (38) of each sealing cover part (20) is formed around the associated ignition pin (30) with thinner walls than the remaining region of the sealing cover part (20) and rises to the end of the ignition pin (30).
27. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to one of claims 21 to 26, characterised in that the first receiving chambers (46) are slightly enlarged in cross-section at their sealing cover part ends.
28. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to one of claims 22 to 27, characterised in that each of the first receiving chambers (46) has an adjacent partial chamber (58) in the region of the conical end (53) and in that the ignition charge (52) is introduced in the region of the conical end (53) as well as in this partial chamber (58) of the first receiving chamber (46).
29. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to one of claims 21 to 28, characterised in that each casing body (16) has next to the first receiving chamber (46) a second receiving chamber (48) for the propellent charge composition (60), with the two receiving chambers (46, 48) being separated from each other by a bursting wall (50), which breaks open when the ignition charge (52) is ignited.
30. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to one of claims 21 to 29, characterised in that each sealing cover part (20) is provided with a projecting collar-like encircling rim (28) which rests on the internal surface of the associated casing body (16) defining the receiving chamber for the propellent charge composition (60).
31. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to one of claims 21 to 30, characterised in that the individual sealing cover parts (20) of the sealing cover strip (14) are connected to each other by means of film hinges (24), the sealing cover strip (14) being disposed spaced from the casing body strip (12) in the regions of its film hinges (24).
32. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to claim 31, characterised in that, in the region of the adjacent sealing cover parts (20), the sealing cover strip (14) has release holes or openings in the respective film hinges (24) connecting the cover parts (20) to each other.
33. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to claim 32, characterised in that the release holes or openings are formed as rim edge recesses (26) of the film hinges (24).
34. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to one of claims 21 to 33, characterised in that the casing body strip (12) consists of a plastics strip (17) with cup-like indentations preformed on this and forming the individual casing bodies (16).
35. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to claim 33, characterised in that the plastics strip (17) has thickened rim strips (22) positioned on both longitudinal sides and formed like flanges.
36. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to claim 35, characterised in that the sealing cover strip (14) rests with its outer lateral edges clamping and locked on the internal surfaces of the edge strips (22) which face each other.
37. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to claim 35 or 36, characterised in that both edge strips (22) at one end of the plastics strip (17) extend outwards, directed away from each other.
38. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to one of claims 21 to 37, characterised in that the sealing cover strip (14) and the casing body strip (12) are each linear.
39. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to one of claims 21 to 37, characterised in that the sealing cover strip (14) and the casing body strip (21) are each formed as closed annular strips.
40. A cartridge case-belt magazine according to one of claims 21 to 39, characterised in that the first receiving chambers (46) are arranged, seen in plan view, on the casing body strip along the strip centre line.

Images