EP1232376B1 - Device for cocking and priming a large bore firearm - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for cocking and priming a large bore firearm with superposed or juxtaposed barrels (1 and 2) comprising two firing pins (4 and 5), a single trigger (11) automatically controlled by a cocking pin (8). The invention is characterised in that it comprises, in a lock plate (3) housing the barrels: a ratchet for selecting (14) the starting shot mounted rotating on the cock pivot pin (8) and having two recessed and embossed parts acting as teeth; an inertia trigger (7) mounted mobile in angular displacement in a notch (8a) of the cocking pin (8); the inertia trigger (7) has one part (7b) designed to co-operate with the ratchet (14) recessed and embossed parts to strike alternately one and the other firing pins (4 and 5), after the cocking pin (8) has been cocked; the ratchet (14) is integral with an indicator element (17) which can be controlled or not at the time when the firearm is being locked to drive, if required, said ratchet (14) to position the inertia trigger (7) so as to always allow the same shot to be fired.

Description

The invention relates to the technical sector of armaments and more particularly of large caliber firearms with superimposed or juxtaposed barrels.
Generally, this type of weapon uses large caliber ammunition whose projectile fire is consistent to avoid penetration on impact on an individual in particular, thus constituting non-lethal ammunition.

This state of the art can be illustrated by the teaching of patent FR 2,585,818 which relates to a double caliber gun launcher tilt. Essentially, this launcher includes a rocker block assembly in two parts: a striker mounted on a thin wall, and a battery of dogs arranged in a horizontal plane. Dogs are armed by means of levers placed on each side of the casing of the launcher. The levers can be moved backwards with one hand, in order to exercise support on the detents.

We can also cite the teaching of patent FR 2,775,268 which concerns a firearm for firing large caliber projectiles comprising two strikers subject respectively to a trigger, each trigger being pivotally controlled by a movable key in translation. This weapon is characterized by its compactness, its ergonomics, and by the use of a selective single trigger. Monodetent is supported, under a pivoting effect, with an axis integral with a rotary selector and movable in translation. This selector has arrangements for cooperate at will with either of the trigger control keys in order to select, at the start, one or the other of the strikers.

The striking of the strikers takes place at the time of the tilting of the cannons articulated with respect to a transverse axis. Their lower part is hooked at their upper part by a bolt mounted pivoting around a axis.

It follows that in the closed position of the weapon, the strikers are armed, which can, in extreme cases of major shocks to the weapon, which can be the case for example in the event of a fall, causing the unexpected departure of the stroke (s):

The object of the invention is to remedy these drawbacks, simple, safe, efficient and rational way.

The problem which the invention proposes to solve is to ensure arming the striker, no longer when the weapon is closed under the barrel tilting effect but, deliberately by the user, by acting directly or indirectly on a cocking dog in also having the objective of initializing the start of the blows. Indeed, it appeared important to be certain that it was always the same move that leaves first after closing the weapon, even when a single hit has been fired, since there may be different ammunition for one and the other of the cannons. Failing to be able to initialize the start of shots, after having fired the ammunition from one of the cannons, even if we deliver an ammunition in this gun, the ammunition of the other gun will be fired, which is not the goal.

• l'armement en agissant directement ou indirectement sur le chien ;
• le passage automatique d'un coup à l'autre, à chaque réarmement ;
• l'initialisation du premier coup à l'ouverture de l'arme.

In summary, the problems which the invention proposes to solve are being able to obtain, on the same weapon:

• the armament by acting directly or indirectly on the dog;
• automatic switching from one hit to the next, each time it is rearmed;
• the initialization of the first shot at the opening of the weapon.

• un rochet de sélection de départ du coup monté tournant sur l'axe de pivotement du chien et présentant des parties en creux et en relief faisant office de denture ;
• une masselotte de percussion montée avec capacité de déplacement angulaire dans une échancrure du chien ;
• la masselotte présente une partie apte à coopérer avec les parties en creux ou en relief du rochet pour frapper alternativement l'un et l'autre des percuteurs, après armement du chien ;
• le rochet est solidaire d'un élément indexeur apte à être commandé ou non au moment de la fermeture de l'arme pour entraíner, si nécessaire, ledit rochet en vue de positionner la masselotte de sorte à toujours permettre le départ du même coup.

According to the invention, to solve this problem, it was designed and developed a device for arming and initializing a large caliber firearm with superimposed or juxtaposed barrels comprising two strikers, a single trigger subject to a cocking dog, the device being remarkable in that it comprises, in a support plate receiving freely articulated the guns:

• a ratchet for selecting the start of the stroke mounted rotating on the pivot axis of the hammer and having recessed and raised parts serving as toothing;
• a percussion shoe mounted with angular displacement capacity in a notch of the dog;
• the counterweight has a part capable of cooperating with the hollow or raised parts of the ratchet to strike alternately one and the other of the strikers, after cocking the dog;
• the ratchet is secured to an indexing element capable of being controlled or not when closing the weapon to drive, if necessary, said ratchet in order to position the flyweight so as to always allow the start at the same time.

To solve the problem of arming the dog, the dog receives a cocking finger capable of cooperating with part of the trigger.

To resolve the problem posed of ensuring the initialization of the departure of strokes, the indexing element is arranged concentrically with the ratchet and peripherally has lugs regularly angularly offset on a circumference, so as to rotate the assembly ratchet-indexer only after the start of one of the moves and not rearming the dog for the departure of the other, so as to reposition the counterweight in the initial position.

To solve the problem of ensuring the order of the element indexer, the indexing element cooperates with a leaf spring secured to a horizontal link articulated at one of its ends to a link arranged in a substantially vertical plane and pivotally mounted at its opposite end, in a housing of the plate, said vertical link having a finger projecting from the striker plate to be actuated at the time of closing the weapon. The vertical link is subject to an elastic return member to allow his finger to overflow in the open position of the weapon.

To solve the problem posed to ensure the passage from a blow to the other, the selection ratchet is locked in a direction of rotation by means a vertical spring blade cooperating with its teeth.

To solve the problem of ordering one or the other of the strikers, after cocking the hammer, the percussion weight is mounted with pivoting capacity inside the dog's notch, against an elastic member to constantly engage it with the ratchet teeth.

To resolve the problem posed of arming the dog at means of triggering, the cocking finger advantageously has but not limited to, opposite to its connection with the dog, a support roller cooperating with a boss formed opposite the articulation of the single trigger.

• la figure 1 est une vue de face de l'arme selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale en position d'armement du chien pour le départ du coup supérieur ; pour une meilleure compréhension et clarté des dessins, le dispositif d'initialisation de départ du coup n'est pas représenté ;
• la figure 3 est une vue correspondant à la figure 2 montrant le départ du coup supérieur au moyen de la masselotte de percussion ;
• la figure 4 est une vue semblable à la figure 2 en position d'armement du chien pour le départ du coup inférieur ;
• la figure 5 est une vue correspondant à la figure 4 montrant le départ du coup inférieur au moyen de la masselotte de percussion ;
• la figure 6 est une vue longitudinale semblable aux figures 2, 3, 4 et 5 en position d'ouverture de l'arme montrant le dispositif d'initialisation du départ du coup ;
• la figure 7 est une vue correspondant à la figure 6 après fermeture de l'arme montrant les fonctions du dispositif d'initialisation ;
• la figure 8a est une vue partielle montrant le non entraínement de l'indexeur ;
• la figure 8b est une vue partielle montrant l'entraínement de l'indexeur.

The invention is set out below in more detail with the aid of the figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a front view of the weapon according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a partial view in longitudinal section in the dog's cocking position for the start of the upper stroke; for a better understanding and clarity of the drawings, the device for initializing the start of the stroke is not shown;
• Figure 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 showing the start of the upper stroke by means of the percussion weight;
• Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 in the dog's cocking position for the start of the lower stroke;
• Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 showing the start of the lower stroke by means of the percussion weight;
• Figure 6 is a longitudinal view similar to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the open position of the weapon showing the initialization device of the start of the shot;
• Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 6 after closing the weapon showing the functions of the initialization device;
• Figure 8a is a partial view showing the non-drive of the indexer;
• Figure 8b is a partial view showing the drive of the indexer.

As illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, the firearm according to the invention comprises a set of two barrels (1 and 2) mounted tilting relative to a battery or plate (3) receiving the entire mechanism of armament and percussion. The plate (3) directly forms a butt (3a). The barrels (1 and 2) are articulated in (3b) at the level of the part bottom of the plate (3). In the example illustrated, the two guns (1 and 2) are superimposed. It is obvious, without going beyond the ambit of the invention, that the device can also be applied to a cannon weapon juxtaposed.

Preferably, and as indicated, the barrels (1 and 2) are shaped to allow the firing of large caliber projectiles. The plate (3) has, at its front part, two strikers (4 and 5) arranged in an inclined and divergent manner, in the direction of a support plate (6) cooperating in the closed position, with the barrels (1 and 2). The striker (4) corresponding for example to the upper barrel (1), while the striker (5) corresponds for example to the lower barrel (2). In a way known, the strikers (4 and 5) are subjected to the action of an elastic member spring type.

According to the invention, the strikers (4 and 5) are subjected alternately to the action of a percussion weight (7) mounted with the capacity to angular displacement in a notch (8a) of a cocking dog (8). The dog (8) is returned to the percussion position by a spring (9) mounted in an obviously (3c) of the stick (3a).

The dog (8) is articulated at its base by a transverse axis (10) in order to allow it a circular pivoting movement in position of arming against its return spring (9), as will be indicated in the following description.

In a preferred manner, this arming of the dog is carried out by means a single trigger (11) articulated at (12) on a part of the plate (3) and recalled to the non-actuated position by a system of links and springs. The trigger (11) has a tail (11a) whose free end has a curved boss or support profile capable of cooperating with a finger armament (13) housed in the lower part of the dog (8) and capable of ensuring its circular pivoting under the effect of the action of the single trigger (11) corresponds to the cocking position of said dog.

According to an important characteristic, the journal pin (10) of pivoting of the dog (8) receives, freely rotating, a ratchet (14) for selection of departure of the blow. This ratchet (14) has peripherally parts in hollow (14a) and in relief (14b) serving as toothing.

The percussion weight (7) articulated in (7a) in the notch (8a) of the dog (8), has an indexing zone (7b) able to cooperate alternately with the recessed or raised parts of the ratchet (14) to alternately strike one and the other of the strikers (4 and 5) after arming of the dog (8) by means of the single trigger (11). The percussion weight (7) is mounted with pivoting capacity in the notch (8a) of the dog against an elastic return member (15) to put it constantly engaged at its indexing zone (7b) with the toothing of the ratchet (14).

The ratchet (14) is rotated by the impactful mass under the action of the dog at the start of the blow just after arming, and is blocked in the other direction of rotation during the arming phase by a blade vertical spring (16) cooperating with prominences formed in overflow of the raised parts of the ratchet teeth (14).

Note that the arming finger (13) may have, opposite to its connection with the dog (8), a support roller (13a) cooperating with the area semi-circular support of the trigger tail (11a).

It is necessary to analyze the principle of arming and starting blows with particular reference to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings.

A digital support exerted on the single trigger (11) causes its pivot relative to the axis (12) and the angular pivot of the dog (8) by means of the arming finger (13) urged by the support zone (11a) of the tail of relaxation. In this cocking position, (figures 2 or 4), the dog (8) is pivoted backwards against its return spring (9) which is compressed. When the support zone (11a) exceeds the radius of the finger arming (13), the dog (8) is returned by the spring (9). In a way concomitant, the percussion weight (7) centered on the dog (8), strikes the upper striker (Figure 3) or the lower striker (Figure 5), function of the positioning of said flyweight relative to the profile in hollow or in relief of the ratchet teeth (14). Indeed during arming of the dog (8), the lower point (7b) of the percussion weight (7) follows the profile of the ratchet toothing (14) and acts as a ratchet. Ratchet (14) being blocked in the other direction of rotation by the leaf spring (16).

If we compare the figures of the drawings, the percussion weight (7) goes from a high position (figure 2) in engagement with the top of a tooth ratchet (14) corresponding to the arming of the upper stroke, at a position bass engaged with the hollow of a ratchet tooth, in order to prepare for departure of the lower shot (figure 4). Then the percussion weight (7) passes from a low position to a high position preparing for the start of the stroke superior.

It follows that with each action exerted on the single trigger (11) corresponding to the arming of the dog (8), the passage of the lower part the counterweight (7) on the hollow and raised profiles of the teeth of the ratchet, alternately causes the percussion of the upper striker and the lower striker, continuously and in a pre-established order.

As a result, after taking the top shot, the next action exerted on the trigger for arming the dog, will necessarily leave the lower stroke by means of the percussion weight.

Given this endless continuous cycle generated by the rotation of the ratchet (14), it appeared important to initialize the start of the blow, so only after firing only one shot (the top shot for example), and after opening the weapon, we are sure that it is the blow again superior who leaves during the next action on the trigger, after closing the gun. In other words, it appeared important to be able to reset the arming device when closing the tear.

As shown in particular in Figures 6 and 7, the ratchet (14) is integral with an indexing element (17) able to be controlled or not to the time of closing the weapon to train if necessary said ratchet (14) in order to position the percussion weight (7) so as to always allow the start at the same time (higher or lower), at the time of closing the gun. The indexing element (17) is made integral, directly or in a reported manner, the ratchet (14) in a position fixed angular and is arranged concentrically with the ratchet (14).

This indexing element (17) has peripherally lugs (17a) regularly offset angularly around a circumference so to rotate the ratchet assembly (14) - indexer (17) only after the start of one of the strokes and not resetting the dog (8) for the start of the other stroke, so as to reposition the counterweight (7) in initial position.

In the example illustrated, the indexing element (17) cooperates with a leaf spring (18) integral with a horizontal link (19) articulated to one from its ends to another link (20) arranged in a plane substantially vertical. This link (20) is articulated in (20a) to be moved pivotally in a housing (3d) formed in the thickness of the platinum (3). The vertical link (20) has an overhanging finger (21). The connecting rod (20) is subject to an elastic return member (22) to allow the overflow of his finger (21) through the plate (6) in position opening the weapon (Figure 6).

When the weapon opens, the vertical link (20) revolves around the axis (20a) under the relaxation effect of the return spring (22). This vertical link (20) driven the horizontal link (19) to end of which is fixed the control spring blade (18) bearing on the indexer teeth (17). In this open position of the weapon, the rod (20) is positioned in a vertical plane.

When the weapon is closed, the end of the barrels presses on the protruding finger (21) causing the angular pivoting of the vertical link (20) and, concomitantly, the displacement in rearward translation of the horizontal link (19) from which the blade comes out (18) drives or does not drive the indexer-ratchet assembly according to the initial position of said ratchet.

Indeed, if the user successively fired the top shot and the lower shot, after opening and closing the weapon, the blade comes out of control (18) will have no effect on the toothing of the indexer (17). We are in a continuous operating cycle (Figure 8a).

However, if after firing the first shot, the user opens the weapon, after closing the latter, the control blade (18) will in engagement with the indexer teeth (17) to drive the ratchet-indexer assembly so as to reset the arming device and avoid the start of the second shot, first (Figure 8b).

According to an alternative embodiment, the selector ratchet assembly can be slaved to a control means operable from outside of the weapon to select the start of the shot.

• l'armement des percuteurs au moyen du chien actionné volontairement par l'utilisateur, soit au moyen de la monodétente, soit directement à la façon d'un revolver
• la remise à zéro du dispositif d'armement pour être certain qu'après avoir tiré le coup supérieur, par exemple, après une ouverture de l'arme, sans avoir tiré le coup inférieur et de nouveau fermeture, ce soit le coup supérieur qui parte.

The advantages emerge clearly from the description, in particular it is emphasized and recalled:

• the arming of the strikers by means of the dog actuated voluntarily by the user, either by means of the monodetent, or directly in the manner of a revolver
• resetting the arming device to zero to be certain that after having fired the top shot, for example, after opening the weapon, without having fired the bottom shot and again closing, it is the top shot that starts .

Claims (9)

1. Device for cocking and priming a large-bore firearm having superposed or juxtaposed barrels (1 and 2), comprising two striking pins (4 and 5) and a single trigger (11) secured to a cocking piece (8), characterized in that it comprises, in a supporting plate (3) receiving the barrels (1 and 2):

   a shot-firing selection ratchet (14) mounted rotatably on the pivot axis of the cocking piece (8) and having indented and relieved parts functioning as toothing;

   a percussion inertia block (7) mounted in a notch (8a) of the cocking piece (8) with a capacity for angular displacement;

   the inertia block (7) has a part (7b) capable of cooperating with the indented or relieved parts of the ratchet (14) in order to hit one of the striking pins (4 and 5) and the other alternately after the cocking of the cocking piece (8);

   the ratchet (14) is integral with an indexing element (17) capable of being controlled or not at the moment of closing of the firearm, in order, if necessary, to drive the said ratchet (14) for the purpose of positioning the inertia block (7) so as always to allow the firing of the same shot.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cocking piece (8) receives a cocking finger (13) capable of cooperating with part of the trigger (11).
3. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the indexing element (17) is arranged concentrically to the ratchet (14) and has, peripherally, catches uniformly offset angularly on a circumference, so as to control the rotation of the ratchet/indexing-element assembly solely after the firing of one of the shots and the non-recocking of the cocking piece for the firing of the other shot, in order to reposition the inertia block (7) in the initial position.
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the indexing element (17) cooperates with a spring leaf (18) integral with a horizontal link (19) articulated at one of its ends on a link (20) arranged in a substantially vertical plane and mounted pivotably at its opposite end in a receptacle of the plate (3), the said link (20) having a finger (21) projecting through the cap (6) of the striking pins, in order to be actuated at the moment of closing of the firearm.
5. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the vertical link (20) is secured to an elastic return member, in order to allow its finger (21) to project in the opening position of the firearm.
6. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the selection ratchet (14) is locked in one direction of rotation by means of a vertical spring leaf (16) cooperating with its toothing.
7. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the percussion inertia block (7) is mounted within the notch (8a) of the cocking piece (8) with a capacity for pivoting counter to an elastic member (15) in order to bring the said inertia block constantly into engagement with the toothing of the ratchet (14).
8. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cocking finger (13) has, in particular opposite its connection to the cocking piece, a bearing roller (13a) cooperating with a boss (11a) formed opposite the joint of the single trigger (11).
9. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the ratchet (14)/indexing-element (17) assembly is governed by a control means actuable from outside the firearm in order to select the firing of the shot.

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