EP0684444B1 - Cartridge belt - Google Patents

Abstract

The cartridges (1,1') are accommodated alongside each other inside close-fitting links (7), each of which has opposite protrusions (15,17), each containing an opening (11). Adjacent links hinge together via pins (9) passing through the openings and thickened at the ends. The opening in the first protrusion (15) is connected to the belt edge by a passage (13) narrower than the opening and also than the portion of the pin passing through it. A second opening in the link is connected by a second passage (13') to the belt edge. Thus by bending the passages slightly open adjacent cartridges can be slid free in either axial direction. The two passages (13,13') can lead to the same edge of the belt. The thickened portions at the pin ends can consist of transverse lugs, situated symmetrically in relation to each other. They can be rectangular, so that they cannot turn in the links.

Description

The invention relates to a cartridge belt according to the preamble of claim 1; Such a cartridge belt is used in the applicant's self-loading grenade launcher HK AGL 40 mm in order to feed the cartridges contained in the cartridge belt one after the other (cf. DE patent application P 43 34 412.7-15). Such a cartridge belt is known from US-A-3,254,565.
A cartridge belt of the same type could in principle also be used for other self-loading weapons or cartridges. Finally, the term "cartridge" is to be understood here in the broadest sense, so that "cartridge" can also be understood to mean components, such as bolts or nails, which are successively fed to a nail gun or other device for using such components.

Furthermore, relative positional designations used in the following without further reference, such as “front”, “radial” or the like, refer to belted cartridges or their longitudinal axis, wherein “front” indicates the direction in which the bullet of the cartridge points, and assuming a cartridge with an almost cylindrical or bottle-shaped cartridge case.

The cartridge belt mentioned at the outset, like many known cartridge belts, has a number of belt members, each of which is assigned to a cartridge and which are connected to one another in an articulated manner.

The belt member encloses the cartridge case near its projectile edge like a cuff and sits so tightly on the cartridge case that it can only be forcibly moved along it.

The belt members each have diametrically opposed bulges, and the adjacent bulges of adjacent cartridges are connected to a connecting member which passes through openings in the bulges with play and has a thickening between bulge and associated cartridge, that is to say at the ends, which the opening in the Bulge engages behind. Thus, adjacent belt members cannot be pulled apart in the radial direction. In addition, the thickening in relation to the shape of the bulge is usually designed so that the cartridge belt can not only be deflected in a radial plane of the cartridges lying next to one another in parallel, but can also be twisted to a limited extent and buckled in an axial plane; the twisting and kinking facilitates the feed to the weapon, but does not hinder its function, since the cartridges are again aligned exactly parallel to one another in the cartridge inlet of the weapon.

While in a conventional cartridge belt the cartridges are pulled out or pushed out of the belt members when the belt is detached, after which the belt members are ejected individually or continuously, but separately from cartridges fired from the sleeves, the belt member remains on the cartridge case and in the cartridge belt of the generic type and according to the invention is only pushed to the bottom of the case when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge chamber; the belting is only that the adjacent belt members are separated from each other.

This separation is made possible by the fact that the opening in one of the bulges of each belt link is open towards the front or mostly rear edge of the belt link with the formation of a latching lane, with a narrow point that is smaller than the thickness of the connecting link, so that this only then can get out of the corresponding opening if it is pressed against the constriction with such great force that it can push it apart.

This spreading apart is usually resilient, so that the throat after the de-belting essentially returns to its original size, but can also be deformed; finally, it is also possible to provide a predetermined breaking point instead of the constriction.

According to this configuration of the constriction, the belt member consists of sheet steel, which is the rule, but can also consist of ductile metal or plastic; in the case of a resilient plastic, the belt member can also be axially compressed when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge chamber.

In the case of the known grenade launcher of the applicant mentioned at the outset, the first cartridge of the cartridge belt is displaced with its belt member in relation to the subsequent cartridge and is then introduced into the cartridge chamber while continuing its movement in a straight line; in the case of another self-loading grenade launcher for the same cartridge, which is already in use by troops, and which uses a cartridge belt which is of the same type as the generic cartridge, the first cartridge is pulled backwards relative to the subsequent cartridge belt, lowered into the level of the cartridge chamber and only then inserted forward into the cartridge chamber.

As a result of this different principle of operation of the two weapons mentioned, the same cartridge belt can be used in both, but the cartridge belt to be introduced at the beginning of one weapon must be inserted at the end of the other weapon in order to be functional.

If, as usual, the cartridge belts are stowed in zigzag layers in ammunition boxes intended for one of these two types of grenade launcher, then the cartridge belt must be removed from the ammunition box, turned over and put back into the ammunition box for use with the other grenade launcher type. This is not only cumbersome, the position of the cartridge belt no longer corresponds to the inscription or type on the ammunition box; if this is used for reloading from the grenade launcher type corresponding to the inscription, the cartridge belt can be inserted into the weapon without further ado, but when trying to shoot, i.e. in an acute dangerous situation, a load inhibition shows the shooter that the alignment or the orientation of the cartridge belt was incorrect. Now it is important to recognize the cause of the loading hammer, empty the ammunition box, turn the cartridge belt, etc., and do so as quickly as possible and when the enemy touches it.

Peacekeeping of a troop will probably only provide one type of these grenade launchers, so that the difficulties described will not arise unless ammunition boxes are repacked for some reason and a mistake is made; however, since experience has shown that this peacekeeping facility is as short as possible in number of pieces, a conflict generally has to be heavily upgraded after the outbreak of a conflict Available capacities must be exploited, i.e. grenade launchers of the other type that were not originally intended must be procured and imported.

It is also possible that allied, jointly deployed troops are equipped differently from the outset.

In any case, not only do the usual replenishment problems arise, but because the troop knows the basic usability of the different types of ammunition for each type of grenade launcher, and because ultimately every grenade launcher team will seek to stock up on ammunition, regardless of their purpose, because every cartridge belt is in every weapon is usable and only needs to be realigned or turned around accordingly, constant confusion must be expected in use. The breakdowns resulting from these confusions are obvious and need not be explained further here.

In addition, the problem described leads to armies rejecting the grenade launcher of the applicant, which has not yet been introduced, in spite of its technical superiority over the one already introduced, in order to avoid this problem as far as possible.

It is therefore the object of the invention to eliminate the problem described.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

Here, according to the invention, a second latching lane is provided, which is open towards the front or rear edge of the belt member, that the first cartridge of the cartridge belt together with its belt member can be pushed or pulled out of engagement with the subsequent belt member not only backwards or forwards, but either backwards or forwards.

With a suitable design of the belt member, it is in principle possible to arrange the first latching aisle opposite the one opening and pointing in the opposite direction, so that this opening is open both to the front and to the rear.

The other bulge of the belt member, which is currently being discussed, need not be set up to release the connecting member, and can thus be designed as is known from the generic cartridge belt.

According to an alternative solution, however, the second locking lane is assigned to that bulge which is without a locking lane in the generic cartridge belt, and thus extends in the same direction as the first locking lane, that is either to the front edge or preferably to the rear edge of the belt member. A belt member is thus created which is essentially symmetrical to a central plane which receives the longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

Attention is drawn to US-A-3 112 673, in which a cartridge belt is shown, the adjacent links of which each have rearwardly open hooks which are connected by a ring.

The particular advantage is that the belt member according to the invention as well as the generic one can be made from a continuous ring band, the ends of which overlap and can be riveted or welded or spotted together.

The connecting link is also essentially symmetrical.

The symmetrical connecting link is particularly advantageous together with the symmetrical belt link, since this facilitates the assembly of the cartridge belt according to the invention (belt link and connecting link can be installed irrespective of the orientation) and prevents different loads occurring at the two ends of the connecting link during belt removal.

Both thickenings are formed as rectangular plates, the outline of which is dimensioned such that it corresponds approximately to the inner cross section of the bulges; by engaging the longer side edges of the plates with the inner surface of the belt member within the respective bulge, adjacent cartridges are aligned largely parallel.

The two outer sides of the plates facing away from one another are advantageously curved so that the outer front and rear edges of the two plates are less distant from one another than the apex of the outer surfaces of the plates.

In addition to a certain degree of mobility provided by this embodiment, its particular advantage is that when the cartridges are strapped, when they are inserted into the belt members, they cannot run onto protruding edges of the plates. The mostly mechanical belting can thus be carried out without interference. In addition, the shaft connecting the two plates is provided with a joint so that it can be bent around an axis and thus the two adjacent cartridges can be pivoted about this axis, which runs parallel to the longitudinal axes of these two cartridges.

The shaft is formed from two separate shaft sections, of which at least one preferably has a bearing bore through which a pivot pin passes, by means of which the associated shaft section is pivotably mounted.

The bearing pin can be integrally formed or fastened on the other shaft section; According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, it is preferably designed as a separate part, and the two shaft sections are either reduced to half their thickness or cranked at their end, each provided with a bearing bore: in any case, the two shaft sections are structurally identical and face one another and installed twisted against each other; the two, for example, cranked ends lie one above the other so that their bearing bores are aligned with one another and these are penetrated by a pivot pin.

The parts production and assembly of the cartridge belt according to the invention is thus simplified.

The pivot pin can consist of a solid bearing metal, such as bearing bronze; However, in order to reduce the manufacturing costs, the bearing journal is designed as a hollow journal according to a further embodiment of the invention.

This could protrude with its ends over the two ends of the through hole formed by the superimposed shaft sections and be deformed outward like a hollow rivet, in order to hold the two shaft sections together.

According to a preferred, further embodiment of the invention, however, the hollow pin is penetrated by a further pin, for example a rivet, which is preferably designed as a solid bolt.

Thus, the hollow pin can have a particularly small wall thickness, since it only serves the purpose of offering storage with low friction; the forces acting on the articulated connection, however, are absorbed by the pin which extends through the hollow pin.

As far as this pin is designed as a rivet, it can protrude beyond the hollow pin and be riveted radially outwards, so that this rivet also holds the joint together.

Fig. 1

Seitenansicht (a), Draufsicht (b), entgegengesetzte Seitenansicht (c) und Unteransicht (d) eines Gurtgliedes, etwa in Originalgröße,

Fig. 2

das Gurtglied in der Abwicklung bzw. den ausgestanzten Stahlblechstreifen zur Herstellung des Gurtgliedes, etwa in Originalgröße,

Fig. 3

eine Darstellung eines abgewickelten Gurtgliedes wie in Fig. 2 gezeigt, jedoch mit modifizierten Öffnungen,

Fig. 4

die Draufsicht auf drei miteinander verbundene Gurtglieder des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Patronengurtes,

Fig. 5

die Draufsicht auf ein Verbindungsglied des Patronengurtes der Fig. 4,

Fig. 6(a) bis (c)

die Draufsicht, den Teil-Aufriß und die Ansicht des Verbindungsgliedes der Fig. 5, in vergrößerter Darstellung,

Fig. 7

einen Teil-Aufriß durch ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel, ähnlich der Darstellung der Fig. 6(b), und

Fig. 8

eine Draufsicht auf ein anderes Ausführungsbeispiel des Gurtgliedes, ähnlich der Darstellung der Fig.1 (b).

Two preferred exemplary embodiments of the cartridge belt according to the invention are described in more detail, for example, with reference to the accompanying drawing; in this shows:

Fig. 1

Side view (a), top view (b), opposite side view (c) and bottom view (d) of a belt member, approximately in original size,

Fig. 2

the belt member in the development or the punched-out steel sheet strip for producing the belt member, for example in its original size,

Fig. 3

2 shows a view of a unwound belt member as shown in FIG. 2, but with modified openings,

Fig. 4

the top view of three interconnected belt members of the second embodiment of the cartridge belt according to the invention,

Fig. 5

the top view of a connecting member of the cartridge belt of FIG. 4,

6 (a) to (c)

the top view, the partial elevation and the view of the connecting member of FIG. 5, in an enlarged view,

Fig. 7

a partial elevation through another embodiment, similar to the illustration of Fig. 6 (b), and

Fig. 8

a plan view of another embodiment of the belt member, similar to the illustration of Fig.1 (b).

The same reference numerals designate the same elements or components in all figures; whose description made in the explanation of a figure applies to all figures.

"Above" means "on the floor side" and "below" "on the cartridge bottom side".

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 and 2; Fig. 2 shows a punched out, elongated sheet steel strip, the rolling direction of which extends in its longitudinal direction.

Four pairs of adjacent, short incisions extend downward from the essentially straight edge in the drawing; these each delimit in pairs a spring tongue, all of which are bent inward in the ring-shaped belt member 7 shown in FIG. 1 and ensure that the belt member 7 has a tight fit on the cartridge case (not shown); in addition, the orientation of the spring tongues allows the belt member 7 to be displaced in the direction of the bottom of the cartridge case, but prevents a displacement which the belt member 7 attempts to move beyond the upper edge of the cartridge case.

The metal strip is widened between two pairs of cuts; In the middle of each widening there is a round punched-out or opening 11, 11 ', which is open at the bottom through a latching lane 13, 13' towards the lower edge of the widening. Each locking lane 13, 13 'points in the area adjacent to the opening 11, 11' a section with parallel, downwardly extending walls, the mutual distance of which is significantly smaller than the diameter of the opening 11, 11 'and a little smaller than the diameter of the shaft 25 of the connecting member 9' (FIG. 5).

The lower outlet of the locking lanes 13, 13 'is flared to facilitate the assembly of the cartridge belt.

The dimensions of the two openings 11, 11 'and the two locking lanes 13, 13' and the two widenings are in each case the same.

The punched steel strip shown in FIG. 2 is bent into a ring band, as can best be seen from FIGS. 1b and 1d: the two widenings form a first 15 and a second 17 bulge, which are diametrically opposed to one another and have a U-shaped cross section exhibit.

The radial length of the U-section is a little larger than its leg distance.

Each of the bulges 15, 17 is followed by an arcuate section, the inside diameter of which corresponds to the outside diameter of the cartridge case and on which the spring tongues mentioned above are formed.

Offset from one another by 90 ° with respect to the bulges 15, 17 are two flattened projections, the flattened section of which extends parallel to the connecting line between the centers of the two bulges 15, 17, with its inside lying tangentially on the cartridge case and for guiding the cartridge belt serves. Overlap in the area of one of the flats the ends of the steel strip shown in FIG. 2 at point 19 and are spot-welded to one another.

In each case one of the bulges 15, 17 of two adjacent belt members 7 is arranged next to the other so that the openings 11, 11 'are aligned with each other. A connecting member 9 'passes through these two openings 11, 11' with its shaft 25 and engages behind it.

When assembling a cartridge belt, the connecting links 9 'are pressed from below into the widened inlet of the locking lanes 13, 13' of the adjacent openings 11, 11 'of two belt links 7, the shaft 25 then bends the side walls of the locking lanes 13, 13' slightly apart, until the connecting member 9 falls with its shaft into the openings 11, 11 'and remains there due to the springing back of the side walls.

When firing, the first cartridge of the cartridge belt inserted into the weapon is either pushed forward or pulled back, depending on the weapon type; in the first case the connecting member 9 remains on the second cartridge, in the second case on the cartridge pulled backwards.

In any case, the shaft 25 of the connecting member 9 'is moved relative to a locking lane 13 or 13' and presses the walls of the spring apart.

As can be seen, the cartridge belt can be used in any type of weapon without being specially designed for it; it is no longer a problem to have loose cartridge belts ready for use at the firing position, since it is no longer important which end is used to insert the cartridge belt into the weapon.

However, it is possible to detangle adjacent cartridges in any relative position; it is possible, for example, that a rolled-up or zigzagged cartridge belt that is accidentally hard from a considerable height, for example from a truck, hard Floor falls, is "de-belted" by this impact, that is, it can be separated between two cartridges in an undesirable manner.

This danger is largely eliminated by the use of belt members 7, as one is shown in a rolled-up representation in FIG. 3. In this modified belt member 7, each of the openings 11, 11 'is designed as an elongated hole which extends in the circumferential direction of the belt member, that is to say in its longitudinal direction in the developed view in FIG. 3.

The Rastgasse 13, 13 'extends from its narrowest point to the elongated hole 11, 11' and opens into the middle thereof. The elongated hole 11, 11 'can also be widened towards the junction of the locking lane 13, 13'.

If the cartridge belt runs into a weapon, then at least the two first belt members 7 with the respective cartridge rest against a flat guide, the two flats 19 of the first two belt members 7 lying against it aligning these two such that the one they form Cartridge belt section extends in a straight line.

In this case, the connecting member 9 with its shaft 25 is just in front of the junction of the respective locking lanes 13, 13 ', because the two cartridges or belt members 7 are pulled apart shortly before the belt is detached; strapping is now possible as described above in connection with the original design of the openings 11, 11 '.

With angled cartridges or belt links 7 the connecting member 7 slides into the mutually facing ends of the elongated hole openings 11, 11 'of two adjacent belt members 7 and cannot be pushed into the locking lane 13, 13' in this position. In this position, the belt members cannot be separated from one another.

4, 5 and 6, an embodiment of the cartridge belt according to the invention is shown.

The belt member 7 can have the configuration of the development of FIG. 3 as well as that of FIG. 2, which in turn is preferred.

The two thickenings 31, 33 of the connecting member 9 'are each formed as a square or better rectangular plate, the cross section of which is in each case in a plane running perpendicular to the length of the connecting member 9', which in turn runs parallel to a plane which is tangent to the total cylindrical sleeve of the closest lies.

The longer sides of the rectangle extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

The outer surfaces facing the cartridge are each curved so that they between the form the upper and lower shorter side of the rectangle an outwardly projecting vertex parallel to these shorter sides, which in turn represents a tangent to the circular cross section of the cartridge case.

The centers of these apices are connected by a longitudinal axis which forms the longitudinal axis of a shaft 25 which is cylindrical at its ends.

While this shaft 25 forms a single, rigid component in the first exemplary embodiment, in the second exemplary embodiment it is composed of two shaft sections 25 ′, 25 ″, each of which is formed in one piece with the associated thickening 31 or 33.

The component formed by the thickening 31 and the shaft section 25 "is identical in construction to the component formed by the other thickening 33 and the shaft section 25 '.

Each shaft section 25 ', 25 "has, adjacent to the associated thickening 33, 31, a short, cylindrical socket, on which an eye-like thickening with a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the long sides of the rectangular cross section of the thickening 31, 33 , Continuous bearing bore connects, the axis of which forms a pivot axis 35.

This eye-like thickening extends, seen radially to the cylindrical connecting piece, only up to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 25 and ends in a sliding surface perpendicular to the pivot axis 35.

During installation, the two components just described with the shaft sections 25 ', 25 "face each other and so rotated against each other by 180 °, that the two sliding surfaces lie one on top of the other and the two bearing bores form a continuous receiving bore into which a hollow pin or bush 37 is preferably made of a material that is low with that of the two components 31, 25 "and 33, 25 ' Coefficient of friction (bearing metal, plastic such as PTFE) is used with little play, so that the two components can be pivoted relative to the hollow pin 37.

The hollow pin 37 is flush with the end of the respective bearing bore facing away from the sliding surface or preferably protrudes a little from each bearing bore.

The inner bore of the hollow pin 37 is penetrated by a rivet 39 which protrudes from the hollow pin 37 at both ends thereof and is riveted there to form a rivet head, which in turn extends radially beyond the edge of the respective bearing bore and thus prevents the two from coming together Components 31, 25 "and 33, 25 'can detach from each other.

The exact structure of the connecting member 9 'can be seen from its top view (in the direction of the pivot axis 35) in FIG. 6 (a), from the section AB through this top view, shown in FIG. 6 (b), and from the side view from the direction C in plan view shown in Fig. 6 (c). The aspect ratios shown in these figures are preferred. In particular, it can be seen that the bearing bore has a considerable length, which ensures an articulated but completely torsionally rigid connection of the two shaft sections 25 ', 25 ".

The length of the shorter sides of the rectangle, which forms the cross section of the thickenings 31, 33, corresponds approximately to that inner width of the bulges 15, 17 (see FIG. 1) of the belt member 7, so that the longer side flanks of the thickenings 31, 33 lie snugly against the inner surfaces of the bulges 15, 17 and thus ensure that the respective shaft section 25, 25 " cannot be pivoted in the circumferential direction of the adjacent cartridge At the same time the cartridge presses against the apex of the associated thickening 31, 33 and presses it against the inner surface of the bulge 15, 17, so that the respective shaft section 25 ", 25 'also does not extend in the longitudinal direction of the Cartridge can pivot, but always remains fixed radially to the sleeve cross-section.

The curved design of the outer surfaces of the thickenings 31, 33 ensures that when the cartridges are inserted into the belt members 7, the edge of the sleeve does not run onto an edge of the thickenings 31, 33.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, adjacent belt members 7 and thus cartridges can be pivoted relative to one another easily about the pivot axis 35, but are otherwise connected to one another in a substantially torsionally rigid manner. The cartridge belt can thus easily run into an inlet opening of a weapon, whereby it can follow all changes of direction in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the cartridges, but is at least so torsionally rigid that a cartridge cannot get caught on the inlet opening.

A very special advantage of the embodiment lies in the fact that reliable belt detaching is possible even when the cartridge belt is kinked, since even if due to the articulated connection between the two shaft sections 25 ', 25 "these are not in alignment with one another, but these shaft sections each lie opposite their associated locking lane 13. This fact can be clearly seen from FIG. 4, where it can be seen that the shaft sections remain in the same position regardless of the articulation of the joint would if the two shaft sections 25 ', 25 "were aligned.

7 shows a further embodiment of the connecting member, which is also formed with two separate shaft sections 25 ', 25 ".

These two shaft sections 25 ', 25 ", however, are not provided with the same bearing bore, as those in the previous exemplary embodiment, but with a larger and a smaller bore, which form a stepped bearing bore lying one above the other.

This is penetrated by a journal 37 ', which is complementary to the bearing bore with two stepped sections.

The bearing journal consists of a metal, preferably bearing metal, which forms a small coefficient of friction with the metal of the two shaft sections 25 ', 25 ".

Like the rivet 39 of the previous exemplary embodiment, the bearing journal 37 'has a head at both ends, the diameter of which is larger than the inside diameter of the respectively adjacent bore.

In order to enable unimpeded mobility between the two shaft sections 25 ', 25 ", in addition to the smooth-running fit of the bearing bore and bearing journal 37' the length of which, measured between its two heads, is slightly greater than the height of the bearing bore penetrating the two shaft sections 25 ', 25 ", as is also the case with a hinge which also requires a certain axial play in order not to jam; this Game which can be easily adjusted by a person skilled in the art is referred to here as "hinge game".

The axial length x of the section of the bearing journal 37 'with the larger diameter is preferably greater by this hinge clearance than the axial length y of the bore in the associated shaft section 25'.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the belt member 7 shown in FIG. 1 (b) in a top view.

The processing of FIG. 2 belongs to this belt member 7 ′ of FIG. 8.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, the protrusions 15 ', 17' are not, like the protrusions 15, 17 of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, with a short length, seen in the circumferential direction of the cartridge cross section, and a large height, in the radial direction of the cartridge cross section seen, formed, but with a large length and a low height, so that the cross section of the bulges 15 ', 17' in the plan view of FIG. 12 each form a narrow rectangle extending tangentially to the circumferential direction of the cartridge cross section. The final rounding of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is completely absent.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the thickenings 31, 33 of the associated connecting member 9 'are designed to be complementary to these bulges 15', 17 '.

Here, the connecting member 9 'is primarily supported with its mutually facing inner surfaces of the two thickenings 31, 33 on the respective inner surface of the outer wall of the respective bulge 15', 17 '. The thickness of the thickenings, seen in the axial direction of the shaft 25, can thus be reduced and thus the joint of the shaft 25 can be enlarged and thus be made more stable and with larger permissible tolerances without having to change the distance between adjacent cartridges.

Claims (3)

1. Cartridge belt preferably for a self-loading mortar, having adjacent cartridges which are each enclosed all round on their outer side by a tightly seated, annular belt link (7), wherein

   - every belt link (7) is provided with a first (15) and opposite the first (15) a second (17) convexity (15, 17) which are each traversed by an opening (11, 11'),

   - the two belt links (7) of each of two neighbouring cartridges face each other with one of their convexities (15, 17) and are connected to one another in articulated manner by means of an oblong coupling link (9') which passes through the openings (11, 11') of both convexities (15, 17) and engages behind each with a thickened section (31, 33) constructed on each of the two ends of the coupling link (9'), and

   - the opening (11) of the first convexity (15) is open towards the front or preferably rear edge of the belt link (7) through a catch channel (13) the narrowest width of which, viewed in the circumferential direction of the cartridge, is smaller than the width of the opening (11, 11') and also slightly smaller than the thickness of the section (25) of the coupling link (9') passing through the opening (11, 11') so that this link can be released from the opening (11, 11') in question with slight bending open of the catch channel (13, 13') by axial displacement of one of two neighbouring cartridges in a predetermined direction parallel to the axis, and

   - the thickened section at an end of the coupling link (9') is constructed as a plate (31) having a rectangular cross section and preferably convex on the outer side and the two thickened sections (31, 33) of the coupling link are connected by a shaft (25).
   characterised in
   that

   - either the opening (11) of the first convexity (15), which is open via the catch channel towards the edge of the belt link (7) is also open via a second catch channel (13) towards the opposite edge of the belt link (7),

   - or a second catch channel (11') is provided in the second convexity (17) so that both openings (11, 11') are each open towards the same edge of the belt link (7) by means of the two catch channels (13, 13'), so that the neighbouring cartridges can also be unlatched from one another by displacement in a direction counter to the predetermined direction,

   that

      the second thickened section at the opposite end of the coupling link (9') is also constructed just like the first as a plate (31, 33) preferably convex on the outer side and having a rectangular cross section which is arranged to be received in non-twisting manner in the second convexity (17), and
   that
      the shaft (25) is formed from two shaft segments (25', 25'') which are connected to one another in pivotably articulated manner about an axis (35) which runs essentially parallel to the adjacent cartridges.
2. Cartridge belt according to Claim 1, characterised in that at least one of the shaft segments (25', 25") at its end facing towards the other shaft section (25'', 25') has a bore which is constructed as a bearing bore and is traversed by a pivot pin (37).
3. Cartridge belt according to Claim 2, characterised in that the two shaft segments (25', 25'') are of the same construction, at its end facing towards the other shaft segment (25'', 25') and fitted with the bearing bore each of the shaft segments (25', 25") is hollowed out over half its height viewed in the direction of the axis (35) of the pivot pin (37), and a separate pivot pin (37) is provided which passes through both bearing bores.

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