GB1573498A

GB1573498A - Method of and device for loading a firearm

Info

Publication number: GB1573498A
Application number: GB1373377A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Bofors AB
Current assignee: Saab Bofors AB
Priority date: 1976-03-31
Filing date: 1977-03-31
Publication date: 1980-08-28
Also published as: SE7603851L; FR2346667B1; DE2714176C2; IT1073195B; SE413264B; CH626162A5; FR2346667A1; DE2714176A1

Abstract

The device has a loading cradle (9) for supporting the projectile (10'). Said cradle can be pivoted out laterally with respect to the gun barrel (1). A supporting element (11) can be pivoted in behind the loading cradle (9), touching it and overlapping it, from a position at the side. The supporting element (11) is pushed forwards by means of a loading carriage (13) in order to move the propulsion charge (12) and the projectile (10') into the gun barrel chamber. After inserting the propulsion charge (12) and the projectile (10'), the supporting element (11) is pulled back by the loading carriage (13). In this case, a device (15) holds the propulsion charge (12) in a predetermined position in front of the screwed element (7) of the breech element (2). A rapid firing sequence can thus be carried out without damaging the propulsion charge. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) METHOD OF AND DEVICE FOR LOADING A FIREARM (71) We, AKTIEBOLAGET BOFORS, a joint stock company organized according to the laws of Sweden, of S-690 20, Bofors Sweden, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a loading device for a breech loading firearm; to a method of loading such a firearm; and to a firearm having such a loading device.

Rapid loading of a projectile and a propellant charge is required in order to provide a high rate of fire of the firearm.

There are moreover propellant charges of different lengths depending on the range of fire required, which results in problems in positioning the propellant charge close to an inner surface of a closing unit on the barrel.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method in which the aforesaid problems are mitigated or overcome.

According to the invention we provide a breech loading mechanism for a barrel of a firearm comprising: a loading tray for receiving a projectile and moveable to align the projectile along the barrel axis, a carrying part for a propellant charge, means for moving the carrying part behind the loading tray so that the charge is behind the projectile, a ram for moving the carrying part forward to insert the charge and projectile into the breech of the barrel and for withdrawing the carrying part from the breech after insertion of the charge and projectile, and means to retain the charge in a predetermined position in the breech during withdrawal of the carrying part.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of loading a firearm comprising: placing a projectile into a loading tray, moving the loading tray to align the projectile along the axis of a barrel of the firearm placing a propellent charge in a carrying part, moving the carrying part behind the loading tray so that the charge is behind the projectile, moving the carrying part forward until the charge and projectile are inserted into a breech of the barrel, and withstanding the carrying part from the breech thereafter while retaining the charge in a predetermined position in the breech.

The embodiment of the invention which is described hereinafter is primarily intended for use with a large calibre firearm with which it is particularly useful, and in a preferred embodiment it is suitable for use with field artillery weapons for which, among other things, there is a requirement for a high angle of elevation.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 in perspective, obliquely from the rear, shows a field-artillery weapon utilizing the invention; Figure 2 in a horizontal view shows parts of the weapon according to Figure 1; Figure 3 in a side view shows parts of the weapon according to Figure 1, but at the maximum angle of elevation; Figure 4 in an end view, from the rear, shows the members of the field-artillery weapon according to Figure 1 engaged in the loading procedure; Figure Sa in a side view shows a unit comprised in the members according to Figure 4; Figure 5band show various sections of the unit according to Figure 5a; and Figure 6 shows a closing unit utilized on the artillery weapon.

In Figure 1, a field-artillery weapon is illustrated which is known in itself which has a barrel 1 and a breech ring 2. The firearm is provided with a cradle 3, in a way which is known in itself, in which the firearm slides on guide rails when recoiling. The weapon runs on wheels, and is provided with a pair of main wheels 4 and on carriage trails 5 there are arranged pivot yheels designated 4a which can be raised and lowered, and which in the lowered position pivot freely. The carriage trails are spread, and fixed to the ground via trail spades 6, so that the weapon is secured in the firing position.

At the rear part of the breech ring 2 is a closing unit which in the preferred embodiment consists of a screw mechanism 7 with a cover and a chamber screw supported in this, both of which are known in themselves. For the opening and closing of the breech mechanism, a so-called semi-automatic device is used, of a kind which is known in itself and is not shown here. The elements controlling the elevation are designated 8.

At the rear parts of the cradle 3 of the firearm, loading devices are arranged, to provide a rapid and automatic loading procedure. Said loading devices comprise a loading tray 9 for receiving a projectile 10. The loading tray 9 attached to the elevating mass and can be swung in and out laterally in relation to the longitudinal axis of the barrel. In the position shown, the loading tray 9 receives the projectile, and in the swung-in position, the longitudinal axis of the projectile lies on the axis of the barrel which is not shown. The loading members also comprise a carrying part 11 for a propellant charge 12, which consists of a bag made of cloth or the like, filled with powder.

The carrying part for the propellant charge also comprises a rammer head on a rammer car 13, of a type which is known in itself, the running movement of which is geared up in order to achieve the high speed required. In principle, the carrying part consists of a cradle-formed unit and an arm 14, which at one end is fastened to the cradleformed unit and at its other end is rotatably attached to the rammer car 13, so that the cradle-formed unit will be rotatable laterally along an arc between the first position shown in Figure 1, which is the receiving position for the propellant charge, and a second position on the extension of the axis of the barrel. The rammer car can be run inside the cradle 3 in the longitudinal direction of this between the end position shown in Figure 1 and an advanced position in which the propellant charge is inserted in the chamber of the firearm.Through the arrangement shown, a limited extent in the longitudinal direction of the firearm is obtained, which makes it possible to achieve high angles of elevation (for instance up to 70 ) without impeding the recoil of the firearm.

At the breech ring 2 a charge retainer 15 for the propellant charge 12 is arranged.

The loading tray 9 is made with a springaction stop 16, which prevents the projectile from sliding off the loading tray 9 when the firearm is in high angles of elevation.

Figure 2 shows the swinging-in movement of the loading tray 9 from the side position to the receiving position. The position of the projectile in the barrel at the origin of the rifling is shown by 10', and the chamber position of the propellant charge is shown by 12'. The propellant charge can have various lengths, and does not fill up the entire space in the chamber between an obturating surface 7a on the screw mechanism and the rear surface 10a of the projectile or shell except when it has the maximum length. It is essential that in any case the propellant charge is placed in the chamber so that one of its end surfaces 12a comes close to or against the surface 7a of the screw mechanism. Otherwise, an unacceptable dispersion of the various projectiles would be obtained.

Figure 3 is intended to show parts of the equipment described above when the firearm is in the maximum angle of elevation 1 = 70 . The fully recoiled position of the fire arm is designated 2'. As will be noted from this figure, the screw mechanism can coact with an automatic device 17 for loading primers into the relevant position in the screw.

Figure 4 shows the case when the loading tray 9 is swung into its second position 9'.

The loading tray 9 is supported in a way which is known in itself on two parallel arms 18 and of which only one is shown in Figure 4, while both arms are shown in Figure 3. The arms 18 are rotatably attached to the loading tray 9, and attached to supports 19, so that the loading tray 9 can be displaced parallel to the axis of the bore.

In Figure 4, the cradle-formed unit 11 and the arm 14 are shown in their positions 11' and 14' on the axis of the bore. after the unit 11 has been moved along the arc 20.

When the unit 11 is swung in, the front parts of this will be moved down into the rear part of the loading tray 9. The loading tray 9 also has longitudinally extending guide razzs 21, on its inner surface. When the unit 11 is moved down into the loading tray 9, the propellant charge 12 inserted in the unit 11 will come into a position behind the projectile 10 applied in the loading tray.

The arm 14, which is rigidly fastened to the unit 11 is made with an angular fastening part 14a which, when the unit 11 is moved down into the loading tray 9 permits the arm to extend over one of the side edges of the loading tray 9, which can thereby be given the same height on both sides. The arm is also provided with an angular part 14b by means of which it is supported and can be actuated in the rammer car 13. In its side position, the unit 11 rests in a recess on a supporting part s which defines the side position of the unit.

The unit 11 has the form of a semi circular channel with a rear end wall. In the position designated 11, the opening of the unit is turned somewhat towards the person who is inserting the propellant charge, while in the position designated 11' the opening is turned somewhat away from the same person. The charge retainer 15 is then arranged in connection with the opening of the unit in the second position 11'.

In the position shown in Figure 4, the unit 11' is intended to be displaced axially in relation to the loading tray 9' i.e. at right angles to the plane of Figure 4, and the unit then slides on the guide rails. The displacement of the unit takes place by means of the rammer car 13 via the arm 14. In this forward movement, the unit 11 actuates the projectile 10 in the loading tray 9, and moves the projectile forward so that the projectile slides off the loading tray and into its position in the bore of the barrel, at the same time as the propellant charge remaining in the unit 11 comes into a position behind the projectile in the chamber of the barrel.

The ramming speed is comparatively high, approx. 4 mls, and the unit 11 stops before the projectile has reached its end position in the bore of the barrel. From the stopping position, the projectile will continue due to the kinetic energy obtained from the unit 11 to reach its end position, i.e. the projectile will obtain a free flight, which is essential for the ramming, particularly at high elevations.

The carrying part is shown in more detail in Figures 5a-5d. The carrying part is provided with a part 22 which can be turned down, but which normally is turned up, for instance by means of a spring not shown in detail in a support 23. In its turned-down position, the part has the position designated 22' in Figure 5a. In the turned-up position, the unit 11 can coact with the rear surface tOa of the projectile, so that this can be moved forwards by the unit 11. The part can be actuated to the turned-down position 22a by the propellant charge 12' on its removal from the unit. The turning-down of the part makes said removal possible. In certain cases (for instance at high ramming speeds) it is advisable to enlarge part 22 so that it coacts with the shell via diametrically opposite points or surfaces on the rear end of the shell.Said part 22 can be designed so that guiding of its position can be set through actuation by the shell along (when the unit 11 goes down into the loading tray 9) and the propellant charge i.e. without said springs in the support 23.

The unit comprises spring-action members for securing the propellant charge, so that this will not strike the rear surface of the projectile too hard at the relatively rapid braking of the unit in the firearm during ramming. This prevents the propellant charge from being deformed or unnecessarily damaged. However, said spring-action members are also to permit the retaining of the propellant charge by the charge retainer 15 at the subsequent withdrawal of the unit.

Said spring-action members comprise a first circular holder 24 in the cross-section of the unit, which holder has the form of a band which in the transversal direction extends along an assumed extension of the circular cross-esction so that it can partially extend around the parts of the propellant charge which are not covered by the unit.

Said first holder is provided with three spring elements 25 extending forwards, one of which extends from the holder at the free part of this, and two from the part fastened inside the unit. The last-mentioned two spring elements can also possibly be fastened directly to the inner surface of the unit 11.

The spring elements are substantially symmetrically positioned along the periphery of the holder, and are inclined forwards and inwards, and have a length which is approximately 1/4 of the total length of the unit.

The spring elements are moreover widened forwards, at least at their free ends. The unit is also provided with a second holder 26 which has a design similar to that of the first holder. However, this holder is provided with only two spring elements, extending forwards, which moreover are considerably shorter than the first-mentioned spring elements. The latter spring elements 27 are fastened to the parts of the holder which are fastened in the unit.

At its rear parts, the unit is provided with spring elements 28 of a type corresponding to the other spring elements 25 and 27, but which are fastened directly to the inner wall of the unit 11, and have substantially the same length as the spring elements 27.

The spring elements are relatively thin, and are made of spring steel or the like. The extent of the holders 24 and 26 is also such that they permit the propellant charge to coact with the charge retainer 15 via a re maining opening 29. The distance between the holders and the spring elements, as well as the number of holders and spring elements, is chosen in relation to the length of the propellant charges used. In the figure, a comparatively small propellant charge is designated 12'.

The length of the unit is adapted to suit the length of the chamber and to permit correct ramming of a projectile or shell with said free flight into the chamber position so that the projectile will attain the origin of the rifling even at high elevations.

When the carrying part has achieved the insertion of the projectile to position 10' shown in Figure 2, it is withdrawn by the rammer car. The propellant charge then contacts the charge retainer 15, after possibly having been withdrawn a certain distance from the extreme point of insertion. This distance depending on the length of the charge. The charge retainer which then contacts the rear surface of the propellant charge, which has the form of a cylinder, resulting in the propellant charge obtaining a predetermined position in the chamber, from which position the propellant charge can be actuated by the closing mechanism 7 so that said rear surface of the propellant charge will be given a position close to the surface 7a of the closing mechanism.In its final stage, the closing movement of the closing mechanism must be gentle, so that the propellant charge will not be pushed violently forwards by the mechanism. Such a gentle closing movement in the final stage is known in itself in the case of closing mechanisms of this type. The rammer car continues to its end position, where the unit is moved to the side, to avoid obstructing the firearm when this recoils. After the unit 11 has been moved rearwards from its advanced position to the end position, the loading tray can be moved to the side at the same time as the unit 11. The guiding devices for the unit 11, the loading tray 9 and the rammer car 13 can be made automate in a way which is known in itself by means of control members which are also known in themselves, with motors and operating cylinders.

The charge retainer can be of a type which is known in itself, and in the case shown consists of a spring which can be turned in and out and which in its turned out position withstands forces which are directed from inside the barrel and outwards, but gives way to forces in the opposite direction. Figure 6 shows such a charge retaining spring, which is known in itself, which in the figure has assumed a turned-in position, achieved by means of the screw mechnism 30. The charge retainer is applied in one of the open sections of the threads which occur in the type of mechanisms in question. A spring 31 is arranged to move the spring 15 out when the screw is opened.

The spring is supported in one end in a hinge with a built-in stop which defines the turned-out position of the retaining spring.

A priming cartridge is designated 32. As the other parts of the closing mechanism are not directly concerned with the invention itself, they will not be described in detail here.

The carrying part and the loading tray may, in one form of the mechanism, be interengaged before the projectile and the propellant charge are inserted in the breech.

In order to increase the uniformity of ramming, the barrel has been made cylindrical, with the smallest possible diameter for a distance of approximately 300 mm, nearest the origin of the rifling.

Briefly, the total function will be as follows. In the first phase, firing, recoiling and recuperation take place. In a second phase, turning of the chamber screw and opening of the cover in which the chamber screw is supported takes place. This is followed by ejection of the consumed priming cartridge, which is followed by turning and opening, carried out by a semi-automatic device, which starts during the recuperation, so that the passage will be free for a new round of ammunition when the weapon has reached its run-out position. The third phase consists of loading of a new priming cartridge in the primer seat in the chamber screw, which takes place automatically from a magazine for priming cartridges. The fourth phase comprises ramming of a new round. In a fifth phase, the rammer is pulled out, and the propellant charge is prevented from going along by said charge retainer.

In a sixth phase, the cover with the chamber screw is closed, after which the screw is turned into its locked position. During the closing of the cover, the propellant charge is actuated to its final longitudinally displaced position. Closing and turning is achieved by means of the semi-automatic device, the working springs of which are loaded up at the following recuperating movement. In a seventh and last phase, firing takes place.

The readers attention is directed to our co-pending applications No. 13734/77 (Serial No. 1 573 249), No. 13735/77 (Serial No. 1 573 499) and No. 13736/77 (Serial No.

1 573 500).

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A method of loading a firearm comprising; Unlacing a projectile into a loading tray, moving the loading tray to align the projectile along the axis of a barrel of the firearm, placing a propellant charge in a carrying part,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. maining opening 29. The distance between the holders and the spring elements, as well as the number of holders and spring elements, is chosen in relation to the length of the propellant charges used. In the figure, a comparatively small propellant charge is designated 12'. The length of the unit is adapted to suit the length of the chamber and to permit correct ramming of a projectile or shell with said free flight into the chamber position so that the projectile will attain the origin of the rifling even at high elevations. When the carrying part has achieved the insertion of the projectile to position 10' shown in Figure 2, it is withdrawn by the rammer car. The propellant charge then contacts the charge retainer 15, after possibly having been withdrawn a certain distance from the extreme point of insertion. This distance depending on the length of the charge. The charge retainer which then contacts the rear surface of the propellant charge, which has the form of a cylinder, resulting in the propellant charge obtaining a predetermined position in the chamber, from which position the propellant charge can be actuated by the closing mechanism 7 so that said rear surface of the propellant charge will be given a position close to the surface 7a of the closing mechanism.In its final stage, the closing movement of the closing mechanism must be gentle, so that the propellant charge will not be pushed violently forwards by the mechanism. Such a gentle closing movement in the final stage is known in itself in the case of closing mechanisms of this type. The rammer car continues to its end position, where the unit is moved to the side, to avoid obstructing the firearm when this recoils. After the unit 11 has been moved rearwards from its advanced position to the end position, the loading tray can be moved to the side at the same time as the unit 11. The guiding devices for the unit 11, the loading tray 9 and the rammer car 13 can be made automate in a way which is known in itself by means of control members which are also known in themselves, with motors and operating cylinders. The charge retainer can be of a type which is known in itself, and in the case shown consists of a spring which can be turned in and out and which in its turned out position withstands forces which are directed from inside the barrel and outwards, but gives way to forces in the opposite direction. Figure 6 shows such a charge retaining spring, which is known in itself, which in the figure has assumed a turned-in position, achieved by means of the screw mechnism 30. The charge retainer is applied in one of the open sections of the threads which occur in the type of mechanisms in question. A spring 31 is arranged to move the spring 15 out when the screw is opened. The spring is supported in one end in a hinge with a built-in stop which defines the turned-out position of the retaining spring. A priming cartridge is designated 32. As the other parts of the closing mechanism are not directly concerned with the invention itself, they will not be described in detail here. The carrying part and the loading tray may, in one form of the mechanism, be interengaged before the projectile and the propellant charge are inserted in the breech. In order to increase the uniformity of ramming, the barrel has been made cylindrical, with the smallest possible diameter for a distance of approximately 300 mm, nearest the origin of the rifling. Briefly, the total function will be as follows. In the first phase, firing, recoiling and recuperation take place. In a second phase, turning of the chamber screw and opening of the cover in which the chamber screw is supported takes place. This is followed by ejection of the consumed priming cartridge, which is followed by turning and opening, carried out by a semi-automatic device, which starts during the recuperation, so that the passage will be free for a new round of ammunition when the weapon has reached its run-out position. The third phase consists of loading of a new priming cartridge in the primer seat in the chamber screw, which takes place automatically from a magazine for priming cartridges. The fourth phase comprises ramming of a new round. In a fifth phase, the rammer is pulled out, and the propellant charge is prevented from going along by said charge retainer. In a sixth phase, the cover with the chamber screw is closed, after which the screw is turned into its locked position. During the closing of the cover, the propellant charge is actuated to its final longitudinally displaced position. Closing and turning is achieved by means of the semi-automatic device, the working springs of which are loaded up at the following recuperating movement. In a seventh and last phase, firing takes place. The readers attention is directed to our co-pending applications No. 13734/77 (Serial No. 1 573 249), No. 13735/77 (Serial No. 1 573 499) and No. 13736/77 (Serial No.

1 573 500).

moving the carrying part behind the loading tray so that the charge is behind the projectile, moving the carrying part forward until the charge and projectile are inserted into a breech of the barrel, and withdrawing the carrying part from the breech thereafter while retaining the charge in a predetermined position in the breech.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the carrying part is swung along an arc to its position behind the projectile.

3. A method according to claims 1 or 2 wherein a projectile is engaged by a coacting member on the carrying part when said part is moved forward to insert the projectile and a propellant charge into the breech.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the forward movement of the carrying part stops before the projectile has reached its position in the breech and wherein the projectile attains its final position due to its kinetic energy imparted by the carrying part.

5. A method according to anyone of claims 1 to 4 wherein the propellant charge is restrained from striking the projectile when the carrying part ceases its forward movement, and is retained inside the barrel when the carrying part is withdrawn.

6. A method according to anyone of claims 1 to 5 wherein the carrying part is interengaged with the loading tray before the projectile and the propellant charge are inserted in the breech.

7. A breech loading mechanism for a barrel of a firearm comprising: a loading tray for receiving a projectile and moveable to align the projectile along the barrel axis, a carrying part for a propellant charge, means for moving the carrying part behind the loading tray so that the charge is behind the projectile, a ram for moving the carrying part forward to insert the charge and projectile into the breech of the barrel and for withdrawing the carrying part from the breech after insertion of the charge and projectile, and means to retain the charge in a predetermined position in the breech during withdrawal of the carrying part.

8. A mechanism according to Claim 7 wherein the carrying part constitutes a ramhead attached to the ram.

9. A mechanism according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the combined carrying and ramming part comprises a longitudinally extending cradle and an arm extending generally at right angles to the cradle, the arm having one end rigidly attached to the cradle and being rotatably supported at its other end in the ramming part, the cradleformed unit has a first feeding position for receiving propellant charge from a side thereof and a second position in which the carrying part is behind the loading tray, and a guide path for the cradle extending in an arc betwen the two positions.

10. A mechanism according to claims 7, 8 or 9 in which the carrying part includes at least one spring action member attached to the carrying part which restrains a propellant charge from moving forward and striking the projectile when the carrying part stops its forward movement, but which allows the propellant charge to be retained in the breech on the withdrawal of the carrying part.

11. A mechanism according to claim 10 wherein a spring action member comprises at least one holding band extending transversely across the carrying part, each said holding band having at least one spring element extending therefrom in the longitudinal direction of the carrying part.

12. A mechanism according to claim 11 wherein at least one second spring action member is attached to an inner surface of a cradle extending in the longitudinal direction of said cradle.

13. A mechanism according to anyone of claims 9 - 12 wherein the carrying part is interengageable with the loading tray before a projectile and propellant charge are inserted into the breech.

14. A mechanism according to claim 13, wherein said carrying part includes a flap articulated to the forward end thereof to engage the rear part of a projectile during forward movement of said carrying part, and to engage a forward part of a propellant charge to be forced thereby into a position allowing the carrying part to be withdrawn from the breech.

15. A mechanism according to claim 14 wherein said flap is spring loaded to said forward end of said carrying part.

16. A mechanism according to claims 13, 14 or 15 wherein said carrying part is attached to said ram by an arm which has a curved portion at its point of attachment to said carrying part whereby the carrying part may descend fully into the loading tray before the insertion of a projectile and propellant charge into a breech.

17. A mechanism according to any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein a loading tray is fitted with a stop which can coact with the rear parts of a projectile to prevent said projectile from sliding off the loading tray at high elevations of the firearm, said stop being depressed by the cradle when said cradle slides in the loading tray on the insertion of a projectile and propellant charge into the breech.

18. A breech loading mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A firearm fitted with a breech loading mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A method of loading a firearm sub stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.