EP1070932B1 - Device to help loading a gun having a screw thread breech mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The loading feed for a screw breech firearm has a receiving frame (2) to hold a shell (35) and move it to an aligned position with the breech. The frame has a setting feed (8) for the breech and a guide (17) for the shell in the breech. The frame has a guard (16) at one end to engage the barrel seating cone.

Description

The technical field of the present invention is that of loading aid devices for weapons in particular large caliber.

The so-called field artillery must be loaded via a loading stretcher on which the shell or the ammunition are deposited. Then, the shell is introduced into the weapon using a device delivery and a clamping device and this automatically.

Thus, it has been proposed in the patents FR-A-2 448 121 (basis for the preamble of claim 1) and 2,721,387 post-delivery mechanisms in which a shell for receiving the shell is brought by rotation in the axis of the barrel, then the shell is brought by translation using a ram to a position loading and finally after a second rotation of the stretcher a wedging means is brought in the axis of the cannon to move the shell to a position of jamming in the forcing cone of the barrel. This genre of device is perfectly suitable when the weapon has a wedge cylinder head whose sleeve serves as extension to the stretcher for placing the shell, but cannot be used in a handgun screw cylinder head. Indeed, in this last type of weapon, the stretcher carrying the shell must enter the breech in order to accompany the shell to the entrance of the tube during the post and therefore it is not possible to ensure the second rotation of this stretcher to bring the push back in the axis of the barrel and carry out the jamming shell.

The object of the present invention is to provide a loading aid for artillery equipped with a screw cylinder head capable of ensuring reliable and fast shell station avoiding any deterioration of the sealing means and guaranteeing the reliability of the shot.

The invention therefore relates to a device for assisting with loading a shell into the barrel chamber of a weapon fitted with a screwed cylinder head comprising a stretcher reception on which the shell is positioned, allowing to bring it from a set-up position to a loading position in which the shell is aligned with the axis of the barrel, a means of repression and a means shell jamming in the operating cannon successively, the means of repression and the means of jamming being integral with the stretcher, the stretcher, when used on a weapon, being connected to the hinged slide of the weapon to make pass the shell from the placement position to the loading position, the stretcher being engaged in the breech of the weapon in abutment against a sealing cone of the barrel, device characterized in that the stretcher is provided at its front end with a means of protection coming into abutment against the sealing cone, the wedging means being hingedly connected relative to the stretcher in such a way that after repression of the shell this means of jamming is engaged partially in the stretcher substantially in the axis of the gun.

Advantageously, the protection means is mounted resiliently to the stretcher to remove any differences in distance between the cylinder head and the stretcher and it is secured with sliding mounted tie rods relative to the stretcher, springs being interposed between the stretcher and the means of protection.

The springs are placed around said tie rods.

Advantageously, the means of protection consists by a plastic ring whose diameter internal is significantly greater than the external diameter shell and whose external profile conforms to that of the sealing cone.

According to another characteristic, the means of jamming is connected to the stretcher via two wings hinged relative to the stretcher, at least a cylinder being interposed between the stretcher and the slide to bring said means into a wedging position.

Advantageously, the wedging means is a jack telescopic.

Advantageously, the stretcher is provided with a means hydraulic damper ensuring braking at the end of race.

Preferably, the wedging means, the means pump and the stretcher are brought back simultaneously in the rear off position after the shell has been set post in the forcing cone of the barrel of the weapon.

The return rotation of the wedging means out of the stretcher and return rotation of the stretcher off the axis of the barrel are carried out simultaneously as soon as the means of wedging, the means of delivery and the stretcher returned to the rear rest position.

A very first result of the invention resides in the fact that it is possible to load a weapon with a screw cylinder head with an equivalent rate or even greater than that of breech-sleeve weapons.

Another result is that the cone sealing of the barrel tube is protected against possible shocks from the shell.

Another result is the improved compactness of the stationing device.

• la figure 1 est une vue avant en perspective du dispositif selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue arrière en perspective du dispositif selon l'invention,
• la figure 3 est une vue arrière montrant la position de départ du dispositif par rapport à l'arme,
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective montrant la partie avant de la civière,
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus montrant la mise en place du dispositif par rapport à l'arme au début du refoulement,
• les figures 6 à 8 illustrent trois phases du fonctionnement du dispositif,
• la figure 9 est une vue arrière montrant la mise en place du moyen de coincement,
• les figures 10 et 11 illustrent deux phases de fonctionnement du dispositif de coincement.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the additional description which follows of embodiments in relation to the drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the device according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the device according to the invention,
• FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the starting position of the device relative to the weapon,
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the front part of the stretcher,
• FIG. 5 is a top view showing the positioning of the device relative to the weapon at the start of the delivery,
• FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate three phases of the operation of the device,
• FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the positioning of the wedging means,
• Figures 10 and 11 illustrate two phases of operation of the clamping device.

The loading aid device 1 shown in front view in Figure 1 comprises in known manner a stretcher 2, in the form of a trough elongated, movable in translation relative to a slide 3 connected in particular to the frame, not shown, of the weapon via two arms 4 and 5. Good heard, the dimensions of the stretcher and in particular its length and radius of curvature are such that allow to support all types of ammunition intended to be used in these weapons.

More specifically, the slide 3 is connected rigidly to arms 4 and 5, while these arms are integral with a structure 6 via an axis articulation 7 around which the slide can pivot between a position of installation and a position of loading. Stretcher 2 carries a chain repressor 8 supporting a blocking means 9 of the shell when the latter is placed on the stretcher so as to avoid its ejection when moving the stretcher. The stretcher is made mobile in translation relative to the slide 3 using a jack 10. The rotation of the arms 4 and 5 driving the stretcher 2 is caused by a jack 12 integral with one side of the structure 6 and the other of the arm 4. In the figure, it can be seen that arm 4 is provided of a lug 13 bearing on the rod 14 of a shock absorber to brake and dampen the movement of slide rotation.

According to the invention, the stretcher 2 is extended towards the front by a support 15 carrying a ring 16 and we see Figure 1 the front end of a clamping means 17 described more fully in relation to Figure 2. In this figure which represents a right rear view of stretcher 2, the repressor 8 with chain carries a finger 18 intended to be applied to the rear of the shell for the move relative to the stretcher as will be explained below. The medium 17 is presented here in the form of a telescopic jack whose body 19 is integral with two wings 20 and 21, themselves mounted articulated by relative to arms 4 and 5 of slide 3. Rotation wings 20 and 21 is obtained using a jack 22. This cylinder 22 is integral on one side with axis 7 of articulation of the arm 5 and of the other with the wing 20. Thus, the wedging means 17 can by rotation by compared to stretcher 2 switch to this stretcher 2 to come to be placed substantially in the axis of the barrel.

In FIG. 3, the rear part of the weapon where we see the breech 23 with the nets 24 of reception of the screw and the axis 25 of the barrel. The screw no shown is mounted on the upper part of the cylinder head. The frame 26 of the weapon visible in this figure supports arms 4 and 5 and the entire device 1 previously described. We still see on this figure the wing 20 articulated around the axis 27 secured to the slide 3. The jack 22 is mounted between a fixed pin 28 on the arm 5 and an axis 29 integral with the wing 20.

Figure 4 also shows the structure of the ring 16 and its telescopic mounting on the support 15 extending the stretcher 2. This ring 16 has an outer profile frustoconical intended to adapt to that of a cone barrel sealing, cone intended to cooperate with a gasket carried by the screw (see figure 7). The diameter inside of this ring is significantly higher than diameter of the shell so as to allow its free passage. The ring 16 is resiliently mounted relative to to the support 15 by means of tie rods 30 and springs 31. To this end, the tie rods 30 are screwed by example in the ring and slide freely relative to the support 15. A locking washer 32 makes it possible to limit the translation of the tie rods. The ring 16 is produced by example totally or partially in Teflon (brand filed for polytetrafluoroethylene) or any other equivalent material. So, during successive shots, the Teflon part of the ring 16 comes into contact with the barrel sealing cone and prevents any contact between this one and the shell. We improve the functioning of the weapon avoiding damaging the sealing cone. The initial seal of the weapon is therefore retained. Of more, the telescopic mounting of the ring 16 allows compensate for differences in distance between the rear of the barrel tube and the device 2 according to the invention to each end of the advancement phase of this device. Finally, the ring 16 absorbs the contacts between the stretcher and the cannon during the passage of the shell.

The device operates according to the next cycle.

First we manually deposit in a first phase a shell 35 in stretcher 2, in position shown in Figure 3. Shell 35 is blocked automatically by the locking means 9. In this configuration, finger 18 of the chain repressor is found in a rest position resting on the base shell.

In a second phase, actuator 12 is actuated which causes the rotation of the stretcher 2 which occupies the position shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5 which represents a partial top view of the weapon and rear view according to Figure 6. The shell 35 is then aligned with the axis of the barrel and the ring 16 is placed in the axis of the 23 screw cylinder head.

To optimize efficiency and respond to operating constraints, the rotational movement of the stretcher is hydraulically regulated by means of command of a known type and it is amortized at the end of stroke via hydraulic shock absorber 14.

In a third phase, after this first rotation, the linear cylinder 10 is actuated which brings an axial translation the stretcher 2 and the shell 35 in the cylinder head 23 as is more particularly shown at Figure 7 which shows a top view with partial pullout at the cylinder head. The ring 16 is then in abutment against the sealing cone 36 of the tube from the barrel.

In a fourth phase, the repressor is activated at chain whose finger 18 drives the shell 35 which slides compared to stretcher 2 up to the the weapon (Figure 8). At the end of this translation, the shell completely leaves the stretcher and is fully engaged in the screw cylinder head. In this position, the stretcher 2 is immobilized by the cylinder head and it cannot undergo no rotation.

This is why, in a fifth phase, we activate the jack 22 bringing the wedging means by rotation 17 in the stretcher 2, substantially in the axis of the barrel, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

In a sixth phase illustrated in the top view in Figure 11, the clamping means 17 is actuated and it drives the shell 35 from the breech 23 to the the barrel of the weapon in contact with the cone of forced (not shown). The medium 17 is presented in this case in the form of a telescopic cylinder whose travel is calculated to ensure the necessary distance from the shell.

Shell 35 loading sequence complete and we command the return of the aid device to load 1 to bring it into the setting position place shown in figure 3.

For this, first, the cylinder telescopic 17, the chain repressor 8 and the stretcher 2 are returned simultaneously to the rear rest position. The telescopic cylinder is retracted, the chain ram is returned to its initial position and the linear cylinder 10 return the stretcher to the rear position free of the cylinder head.

Secondly, when the movements of previous returns are complete, cylinders 22 and 12 are operated simultaneously. The jack 22 allows rotation return of the wedging means 17 out of the stretcher 2 and the jack 12 allows the return rotation of the stretcher 2 off the axis of the barrel.

The shell being inserted and the aid device for the load being cleared, we can now place the manual propellant charge in the gun chamber. The bolt head is closed and firing can be ordered.

The simultaneous return movements allow very quickly disengage the aid loading of the barrel axis. This ensures a rapid rate of fire.

Of course a control logic is associated with all phases and detectors are provided for locate the initial and final position of each element. Thus, for example, the rotation of the wedging means 17 out of the stretcher by actuating the jack 22 and the rotation of the stretcher 2 off the axis of the barrel by actuation of the jack 12, can only be carried out when the actuator's end re-entry detectors telescopic 17, ram 8 and linear jack 10 will all be activated.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the only embodiment described above but it also covers variants.

Claims (10)

1. A loading device (1) for a shell (35) in the cannon chamber of a weapon fitted with a screw breech (23) incorporating a receiving tray (2) onto which the shell is positioned during the loading, enabling it to be brought from a set up position to a loading position in which the shell is aligned with the cannon axis, ramming means (8) and means (17) to wedge the shell in the cannon operating successively, the ramming means and the wedging means being integral with the tray (2), said tray being connected to the slide of the weapon in an articulated manner in order to move the shell from the set up position to the loading position, said tray being engaged in the weapon breech (23) in abutment against a sealing cone (36) of the cannon, characterised in that the tray (2) is fitted at its front end with protection means (16) abutting against the sealing cone (36), the front end of the tray being the nearest end regarding the breech of the weapon, the wedging means (17) being connected in an articulated manner with respect to the tray (2) such that after the shell (35) has been rammed into place said wedging means partially engage in the tray (2) substantially in the cannon axis.
2. A loading device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the protection means (16) are assembled in a flexible manner with respect to the tray (2) in order to eliminate any possible differences in the gaps between the breech and the tray.
3. A loading device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the protection means (16) are integral with rods (30) mounted sliding with respect to the tray (2), springs (31) being positioned between the tray (2) and the protection means (16).
4. A loading device according to Claim 3, characterised in that the springs (31) are placed around said rods (30).
5. A loading device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the protection means (16) are constituted by a ring of plastic material whose inner diameter is substantially greater than the outer diameter of the shell (35) and whose outer profile is shaped to match that of the sealing cone (36).
6. A loading device according to any one of the above Claims, characterised in that the wedging means (17) are connected to the tray (2) by means of two wings (20, 21) articulated with respect to the tray, at least one jack (22) being placed between the tray (2) and the slide to bring said means into a wedging position.
7. A loading device according to any one of the above Claims, characterised in that the wedging means (17) are constituted by a telescopic jack.
8. A loading device according to any one of the above Claims, characterised in that the tray (2) is fitted with a hydraulic shock absorber (14) ensuring its braking at the end of its run.
9. A loading device according to any one of the above Claims, characterised in that the wedging means (17), the ramming means (8) and the tray (2) are brought back simultaneously into the rear inoperative position after the shell has been positioned in the forcing cone of the weapon barrel.
10. A loading device according to Claim 9, characterised in that the return rotation of the wedging means (17) out of the tray (2) and the return rotation of the tray (2) out of the cannon axis are carried out simultaneously seeing that the wedging means (17), ramming means (8) and tray (2) have gone back into the rear inoperative position.

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