GB1383074A - Multibarrel weapon with charger - Google Patents

Abstract

1383074 Multi-barrel weapon with a magazine THOMSON-CSF 4 April 1972 [6 April 1971] 15549/72 Heading F3C A weapon comprising a plurality of barrels 1 fixed in a predetermined pattern is in combination with and a detachable magazine 4 which is connectable to the aforesaid weapon through co-operating means on the weapon and on the magazine. The magazine includes a rigid casing having an end plate 19 which forms the breech block of the weapon, a plurality of rounds of ammunition arranged in a pattern identical to that of the barrels 1 are connected directly to the end plate 19 or are indirectly supported by the end plate 19. In the construction shown the rounds of ammunition are housed in barrels mounted in the magazine (Figs. 2, 3 and 4, not shown) each of the last mentioned barrels having a cartridge chamber (Fig. 5, not shown). The co-operating means by which the magazine 4 is connected to the weapon comprise a flange 5 on the magazine 4 and a plurality of pivoted catch 26, each catch 26 being urged into its magazine holding position by spring biasing acting on a rod 28 of an hydraulic ram. The catches are released by pressurizing the rams. The forces exerted on the catches during firing are taken by the structure in which the catches are mounted. Fig. 13 shows the means by which a magazine is drawn towards the weapon. This means comprises a further ram housed in a passage in the aforesaid part and having a rod 50 engageable in a corresponding passage in the magazine 4. The rod 50 carries a rotatably mounted telescopic output shaft 56 having a catch 54 on its outer end. The shaft 56 when the catch 54 is engaged in a fitting 60 in the magazine being rotated through 90 degrees to connect the shaft 56 and magazine through a bayonet type connection. A plurality of connecting rams may be provided internally or externally of the weapon. The magazine may, before presentation to the part of the weapon, be stored in magazine cavities spaced about the weapon mounting (Figs. 9, 10, not shown). Means, e.g. rollers, are provided on the casing of the magazine for co-operation with rails of the weapon to guide the magazine in its movement towards its firing position. Positioning pins engageable in corresponding openings in the forward end of the magazine 4 are provided on the weapon (Figs. 11, 12, not shown).