EP0733872B1 - Multibarrel fire arm of the Gatling type having sliding cartridge chambers - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a firearm multitubes of the GATLING type and with sliding chambers, this small or medium caliber weapon being in particular intended for the shooting of telescoped ammunition.

Generally speaking, a firearm multitubes of the GATLING type includes a rotating body in which are equipped with a loading area, a loading area shot and an ejection area, which are axially aligned along the axis of rotation of the rotary body. The tubes of the weapon are integral with the rotating body and form with the latter a rotating assembly supported in rotation by the casing of the weapon.

In the shooting area, the rotating body supports several rooms, generally in number equal to that of gun tubes, and each chamber moves radially relative to its associated tube.

• un diamètre relativement important dû au déplacement radial des chambres, et
• un corps rotatif qui a une longueur au moins égale à trois fois la longueur d'une munition du fait de l'alignement des zones de chargement, de tir et d'éjection.

A weapon of this type has two disadvantages, namely:

• a relatively large diameter due to the radial displacement of the chambers, and
• a rotary body which has a length at least equal to three times the length of a munition due to the alignment of the loading, firing and ejection zones.

• lorsque la chambre est dans sa position d'ouverture, la face d'extrémité avant de la chambre est située à distance de la face d'extrémité arrière du tube associé pour permettre le chargement d'une munition entre la chambre et le tube associé, la munition étant maintenue axialement alignée avec la chambre et le tube associé par des moyens de support constitués par deux portées sur lesquelles viennent respectivement en appui les deux extrémités de la munition, une portée étant prévue à la face d'extrémité avant de l'élément de support et de guidage de chaque chambre, alors que l'autre portée est prévue à la face arrière du tube, et
• lorsque la chambre est dans sa position de fermeture, ladite chambre entoure la munition et sa face d'extrémité avant vient au contact de la face d'extrémité arrière du tube associé.

To overcome these drawbacks, a multitube weapon of the GATLING type is known, in particular described in the prior document US-A-5,315,913, the description of which covers the preamble of claim 1, where the chambers are mounted to slide along the axis of rotation. of the rotating assembly, which makes it possible both to reduce the diameter of the weapon and to decrease the length of the rotating body. Each chamber is constituted by a tubular element which is axially aligned with an associated tube of the weapon and movable between two open and closed positions in a back and forth translation movement. This translational movement is such that:

• when the chamber is in its open position, the front end face of the chamber is located at a distance from the rear end face of the associated tube to allow loading of ammunition between the chamber and the associated tube, the munition being kept axially aligned with the chamber and the associated tube by support means constituted by two bearing surfaces on which the two ends of the ammunition bear respectively, a bearing being provided at the front end face of the element for supporting and guiding each chamber, while the other bearing is provided on the rear face of the tube, and
• when the chamber is in its closed position, said chamber surrounds the munition and its front end face comes into contact with the rear end face of the associated tube.

Each chamber is mounted free to rotate around an elongated cylindrical element which is axially aligned with a gun barrel, the face front end of this support and guide element also being located at a distance from the end face back of the tube, so you can load a ammunition when the chamber is in its position opening hours.

However, in this document, the ammunition telescoped envisaged have a cylindrical shape but have a chamfer at each end so that the two ranges which maintain the ammunition must have a complementary profile of these chamfers.

Such a weapon is therefore limited to the firing of telescoped ammunition having a particular shape. Concretely, such a weapon can only fire telescoped ammunition with metal case. Indeed, when the chamber is in its closed position, the scope which is provided at the rear end face of the tube leaves a void above it and that is such that a telescoped ammunition with plastic case could creep when fired.

In conclusion, such a weapon cannot fire a cylindrical telescoped ammunition, chamfered at each end and with metal case.

The object of the invention is to overcome these disadvantages while providing other advantages.

• lorsque la chambre est dans sa position d'ouverture, la face d'extrémité avant de la chambre est située à distance de la face d'extrémité arrière du tube associé pour permettre le chargement d'une munition entre la chambre et le tube associé, la munition étant maintenue axialement alignée avec la chambre et le tube associé par des moyens de support constitués par deux portées sur lesquelles viennent respectivement en appui les deux extrémités de la munition, et
• lorsque la chambre est dans sa position de fermeture, la chambre recouvre entièrement la munition et sa face d'extrémité avant est au contact de la face d'extrémité arrière du tube associé,

   arme qui est caractérisée en ce que les deux portées des moyens de support d'une munition sont respectivement prévues à la face d'extrémité avant de la chambre et sur une bague coulissante située à la partie arrière du tube, et en ce que chaque chambre est montée coulissante sur un moyen de support et de guidage tout en étant fixe en rotation par rapport à ce dernier, de manière à ce que l'arme puisse tirer des munitions télescopées de toute forme, notamment à étui plastique, et dont la section droite est sensiblement constante d'une extrémité à l'autre de la munition.To this end, the invention relates to a multi-tube firearm of the GATLING type and with sliding chambers, in particular intended for firing telescoped ammunition, this weapon comprising a rotating assembly consisting of a body housed in a casing, extended by the tubes of the weapon and slidingly supporting the loading and firing chambers which are constituted by tubular elements, each chamber being axially aligned with one of the tubes of the weapon and movable between two open and closed positions according to a back-and-forth translational movement parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary assembly and such that:

• when the chamber is in its open position, the front end face of the chamber is located at a distance from the rear end face of the associated tube to allow loading of ammunition between the chamber and the associated tube, the munition being kept axially aligned with the chamber and the associated tube by support means constituted by two bearing surfaces on which the two ends of the ammunition bear respectively, and
• when the chamber is in its closed position, the chamber completely covers the munition and its front end face is in contact with the rear end face of the associated tube,

weapon which is characterized in that the two ranges of the means for supporting a munition are respectively provided at the front end face of the chamber and on a sliding ring situated at the rear part of the tube, and in that each chamber is slidably mounted on a support and guiding means while being fixed in rotation relative to the latter, so that the weapon can fire telescoped munitions of any shape, in particular with plastic case, and whose cross section is substantially constant from one end to the other of the ammunition.

Generally speaking, the ring which supports one of the ammunition holding ranges when the chamber is in its open position is mounted sliding on the rear end of the tube and animated of a synchronous reciprocating movement with that of the associated room.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the translational movement of the ring is obtained at from a cam, helical in shape, projecting from the inner wall of the housing which surrounds the rotating body of the weapon, and of a roller supported by the ring and which is supported on this cam.

• lorsque la bague est dans sa position arrière, sa portée de maintien fasse saillie à la face d'extrémité arrière du tube associé, et
• lorsque la bague est dans sa position avant, la portée de maintien est dégagée de la face d'extrémité arrière du tube associé.

Thus, the ring is movable between two rear and front positions, so that:

• when the ring is in its rear position, its holding surface protrudes from the rear end face of the associated tube, and
• when the ring is in its front position, the holding surface is released from the rear end face of the associated tube.

According to another characteristic of the invention, each chamber which is fixed in rotation by compared to its support and guidance means, comprises this effect on its outer periphery two ribs diametrically opposite longitudinal which are respectively received in two straight grooves machined in the rotating body of the weapon.

Generally speaking, the movement of back-and-forth translation of the chambers is obtained by a helical cam projecting from the wall internal of the casing which surrounds the rotating body of the weapon, and by a radial roller carried by the chamber and taking support on this cam.

According to a very first advantage of the invention, the weapon can fire telescoped ammunition from any shape, in particular with square cross section, and with non-sheath metallic.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe longitudinale partielle de l'arme selon l'invention, avec une demi-coupe supérieure et une demi-coupe inférieure pour illustrer le fonctionnement de l'arme,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne II-II de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe schématique pour illustrer des chemins de came prévus dans le carter de l'arme,
• la figure 4 est une vue extérieure d'une chambre de chargement et de tir,
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne V-V de la figure 4,
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne VI-VI de la figure 5,
• la figure 7 est une vue extérieure d'une bague de maintien d'une munition, et
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne VIII-VIII de la figure 7.

Other advantages, characteristics and details of the invention will emerge from the explanatory description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings, given solely by way of example, and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a view in partial longitudinal section of the weapon according to the invention, with an upper half-section and a lower half-section to illustrate the operation of the weapon,
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line II-II of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view to illustrate the cam tracks provided in the casing of the weapon,
• FIG. 4 is an exterior view of a loading and firing chamber,
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the line VV of FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI of FIG. 5,
• FIG. 7 is an exterior view of a ring for holding ammunition, and
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.

The GATLING type multitube firearm illustrated in Figure 1 includes a rotating assembly 1 consisting of a body 3 housed in a casing 4 fixed in rotation, extended by the T tubes of the weapon and which supports the loading and firing chambers 5, the number is equal to that of T tubes, four for example. This rotary assembly 1 is rotatably mounted along the axis longitudinal X-X of the weapon by means of bearings 6.

Generally speaking, the nouns before and rear used in the following description are defined with respect to the firing direction of the weapon.

The rotary body 3 comprises a central hub 7 whose axis corresponds to the X-X axis of rotation of the rotating assembly 1. At its rear part, the hub 7 includes support and guide elements 9 of chambers 5. These elements 9 are cylindrical in shape and elongated, respectively aligned with the T tubes of the weapon and regularly distributed around the body rotary 3. Each support and guide element 9 delimits between its external peripheral surface and the internal peripheral surface of the casing 4, a space annular 11 in which is positioned a chamber 5 when it is in its rear position or opening, as will be explained later.

Free loading space 13 of a ammunition M is provided between the front end face of each support and guide element 9 and the face rear end of each associated T tube. The right to this loading space 13, the casing 4 has a lateral opening around which a device 15 for supplying the weapon with ammunition. Each loading space 13 extends axially over a length corresponding to that of ammunition M.

The supply device 15 comprises in particular a star wheel 17 supported in rotation by a shaft 19 parallel to the axis X-X of the weapon. Towards a end, the shaft 19 supports a pinion 21 for rotating the star wheel 17. The pinion 21 meshes with a ring gear 23 centered on the T tubes and immobilized by a screw 25 engaged in the front end face of the hub 7. The toothed crown 23 is located slightly beyond the end face front of the rotating body 3 of the weapon.

Each loading and firing chamber 5 is movable in a back-and-forth translation movement parallel to the X-X axis of the weapon.

Specifically, each room 5 is constituted by a tubular element open to both ends, and is slidably mounted on an element of support and guide 9 associated between two positions rear or opening and front or closing.

In its rear or open position, the chamber 5 is positioned in the annular space 11 defined around the support and guide element 9, so as to leave the space of loading 13 provided between the support element and guide 9 and the associated tube T.

In its front or closed position, the chamber 5 is positioned in the loading space 13 to cover the ammunition M previously loaded in this space 13, and its front end face is then at contact of the rear end face of the associated tube T.

Each chamber 5 is fixed in rotation by relative to its support and guide element 9. At this effect, as shown in Figure 2 each room 5 has two ribs on its outer peripheral surface longitudinal 27, diametrically opposite and intended for engage respectively in two grooves complementary 29 formed in the rotary body 3.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a cam 30 of helical shape is provided on the wall internal cylindrical case 4 of the weapon, and on which respectively bear rollers 32, at the rate of a roller 32 for each room. Pebble 32 is supported in rotation by each chamber 5, the axis of the roller being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bedroom. The cam 30 thus makes it possible to move simultaneously and in synchronism all of the bedrooms 5.

It is also provided in each space of loading 13 means which allow to support and maintain ammunition M axially aligned with a chamber 5 and the associated tube T, when said chamber 5 is in its rear or open position.

These support and holding means are constituted by two semi-circular bearings 34 and 36. A bearing 34 (Figures 4 to 6) is located on the face front end of each chamber 5, while a scope 36 (Figures 7 and 8) is located on one side of a ring 40 slidingly mounted on the end part rear of associated T tube.

Each ring 40 moves according to a back and forth translation movement between a back position and a forward position. In its position rear, each ring 40 is located at the rear end of the tube T, so that its reach 36 protrudes inside the cargo area 13. In its front position, the ring 40 has moved on the tube T so as to move the scope 36 beyond the space of load 13 (figure 1).

A cam 42 of helical shape (Figure 3) protrudes from the inner peripheral wall of the casing 4 and on which rollers come into contact 44 respectively supported by the rings 40. This cam 42 allows all rings to be moved synchronously 40 depending on the position of the associated chambers 5.

A percussion device 50 is housed at the interior of each support and guide element 9 (figure 1). Each percussion device 50 includes a striker 52 armed with a spring 54, and a heel operating radial 56. The springs 54 are supported on a washer 58 attached around the hub 7 and which abuts against the rear end face of the support and guide elements 9.

The washer 58 is engaged on trunnions threaded 60 carried by the rotating body 3 of the weapon and immobilized by nuts 62 screwed on the pins 60.

A cover 64 is screwed to the part rear of the rotating body 3 which locks in position one ring 66 against a shoulder 68 of the body 3. This ring 66 is located in front of washer 58 and has a radially inner flange 70 which is intended to cooperate with the operating heel 56 of strikers 52.

The rotation of the rotating assembly 1 is provided by a drive member (not shown) which drives in rotation an output pinion which meshes with the crown tooth 23, this rotational movement also being transmitted to the ammunition supply device 15 by the pinion 21.

There will now be described a cycle of operation of the weapon which corresponds to a rotation complete of rotating assembly 1 and during which each tube T fires ammunition.

• un secteur de chargement,
• un secteur de fermeture,
• un secteur de tir, et
• un secteur d'ouverture qui précède le secteur de chargement.

During a weapon operating cycle, each chamber T successively traverses four sectors, namely:

• a loading area,
• a closing area,
• a shooting area, and
• an opening sector which precedes the loading sector.

When a room 5 crosses the sector of loading, chamber 5 is kept in its position rear or opening, i.e. it occupies the annular space 11 formed around its element of support and guide 9. Chamber 5 is therefore maintained away from the associated tube T to clear the space of loading 13 and allow the feeder 15 to load ammunition M in this space 13 by through the star wheel 17 and so that that its two ends come respectively to bear on the two spans 34 and 36 which thus maintain the ammunition axially aligned with chamber 5 and the tube T associated. The ring 40 located at the rear end of the tube T, is then in its rear position so that the reach 36 protrudes into the loading space 13. An extraction device (not shown) comes remove the shell from the ammunition previously fired by the tube T before the reception of a new ammunition.

Room 5 then crosses the sector of closure during which chamber 5 passes gradually from its rear position to its position before. During its movement, chamber 5 surrounds gradually the ammunition M located in the space of loading 13. The ring 40 also moves gradually and synchronously from its rear position towards its front position to clear the range 36, from so as not to leave a day or game between the front end face of chamber 5 and the face rear end of tube T which will come into contact with each other.

When chamber 5 reaches its position of closure, which corresponds to the start of the shooting sector, the propellant charge of ammunition M is initiated by the percussion device 50 associated with chamber 5. More specifically, the operating heel 56 of the striker 52 is released by the collar 70 from the ring 66 to allow the striker 52 to strike the primer of the ammunition M by following the relaxation of the arming spring 54.

Finally, bedroom 5 covers the sector opening during which it moves in translation towards its rear position to gradually release the loading space 13. During this backward movement, chamber 5 comes into contact with the operating heel 56 of the striker 52 and drives the latter backwards with compression of the arming spring 54. When the chamber 5 reaches its rear position, heel 56 of the striker 52 is retained by the flange 70 of the ring 66. In parallel, the ring 40 is also moved towards the rear so that its reach 36 protrudes again in the loading space 13, and a new cycle of operation can start.

Generally speaking, ammunition telescoped M fired by the weapon can have a section circular or polygonal line, and the cross section of the housing bounded by each room 5 to a shape complementary.

Generally, the casing 4 of the weapon is connected to a support (not shown) by a link elastic, so that the casing 4 is immobilized in rotation while being able to move axially under the combined actions of the impulses of shot and elastic link.

Claims (6)

1. A GATLING type multi-barrel weapon with sliding chambers, notably designed to fire telescoped munitions, this weapon comprising a revolving assembly (1) formed of a body (3) housed in a frame (4), extended by the barrels (T) of the weapon and supporting in a sliding manner the loading and firing chambers (5) formed of tubular elements, each chamber (5) being axially aligned with one of the barrels (T) of the weapon and able to move between two open and closed positions following a translational to-and-fro movement parallel to the rotational axis of the revolving assembly (1) and such that :

   when the chamber (5) is in its open position, the front end face of the chamber (5) is located at a distance from the rear end face of the associated barrel (T) to enable a munition (M) to be loaded between the chamber (5) and the associated barrel (T), the munition (M) being held in axial alignment with the chamber (5) and the associated barrel (T) by support means formed of two supports (34, 36) on which the two ends of the munition bear respectively, and

   when the chamber (5) is in its closed position, the chamber (5) entirely encompasses the munition (M) and its front end face is in contact with the rear end face of the associated barrel (T),

      a weapon which is characterised in that the two supports (34, 36) forming the support means for a munition (M) are provided respectively on the front end face of the chamber (5) and on a sliding ring (40) located to the rear part of the barrel (T), and in that each chamber is mounted sliding on a support and guiding means (9) whilst being fixed in rotation with respect to the latter, such that the weapon can fire telescoped munitions of any shape, notably those having a plastic case, and whose cross section is roughly the same from one end to the other of the munition.
2. A weapon according to Claim 1, characterised in that the ring (40) which supports the retaining support (36) for the munition (M) is mounted sliding on the rear end of the barrel (T) and has a translational to-and-fro movement in synchronization with that of the associated chamber (5).
3. A weapon according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the retaining support (34) for a munition is located at the front end face of each chamber (5).
4. A weapon according to Claim 3, characterised in that the translational to-and-fro movements of the chambers (5) and the ring (40) are synchronized and are obtained during the rotation of the revolving body (3) by means of two cams (30, 42) provided projecting from the inner wall of the frame (4) of the weapon, respectively.
5. A weapon according to Claim 4, characterised in that each chamber (5) supports a cam follower (32), and in that each ring (40) supports a cam follower (44), these cam followers (32, 44) coming to bear on the associated cams (30, 42).
6. A weapon according to any one of the above Claims, characterised in that each chamber (5) comprises, on its outer periphery, two longitudinal diametrically opposed ribs (27) which are respectively housed in two rectilinear grooves (29) machined in the revolving body (3) of the weapon, such that each chamber (5) is fixed in rotation with respect to its support and guiding means (9).

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