GB2386407A - Breech block assembly of automatic firearm - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns an automatic firearm with a breech block assembly 7, 15 (head and corner respectively) which is surrounded by a housing 1, with an ejection outlet 3 for cartridge cases 9, and a bolt 11, 13, with shaft 13, with one of its ends secured to the breech block 15, which penetrates the housing 1 in the vicinity of the ejection outlet 3, and whose free end bears a handle 11 which moves backwards and forwards together with the breech 7, and is in the area of the trajectory of the ejected cartridge cases 9. In this weapon, the handle 11 is made from plastic, is enlarged, and has a deflector 19 for the cartridge cases 9 on its side facing the trajectory, which directs impacting cartridge cases 9 away from the weapon, so as to prevent the rare stoppages due to ricocheting cartridge cases.

Description

BOLT The invention concerns an automatic firearm with a breech block,

surrounded by a housing, which has an ejection outlet for cartridge cases, and a bolt, with a shaft, with one of its ends secured to the breech block, penetrating the housing in the vicinity of the ejection outlet, with its free end bearing a handle, which moves backwards and forwards together with the breech block, and is sited in the vicinity of the trajectory of the ejected cartridge cases.

The invention concerns automatic weapons (rifles and shotguns), rapid fire weapons and machine pistols, but can also relate to automatic and rapid fire pistols or similar weapons, if these are provided with a housing surrounding the breech block (Ingrains If, in this text, a positional term such as "above" or its like is used, then this is always taken from the normal horizontal position, with the weapon pointing "forwards".

The automatic firearm mentioned in the introduction has been known for some 100 years

(Browningóatomatic rifle). In this weapon, the bolt is attached to the breech block. This attachment of the bolt has been retained up to the present day. Particularly inexpensive automatic weapons for small bore cartridges still invariably use this attachment.

This attachment has advantages and disadvantages: the outstanding advantage is that the breech block can be pushed home via the bolt without further ado if it does not close correctly for any reason. The handle or bolt must only be pushed from the rear. The outstanding disadvantage is that the bolt and handle protrude from the housing and thus must move freely in relation to the weapon. If it comes into contact with an obstacle, then this can occasion a stoppage. If the obstacle is a part of the firer's body, this may also result in injury to the latter.

Even before the First World War, cocking devices were constructed which did not have this disadvantage (Walther(,automatic rifle), but also naturally did not have the aforementioned disadvantage. In this configuration, the bolt is disengaged from the breech block after loading and placed in a stationary position.

In military weapons, the design where the bolt is permanently attached to the breech block, with the sane appearance as the housing, has largely been dispensed with. At the same time, an additional handle is often used to push the breech block home and thus overcome the aforementioned disadvantage (M1. In cases where the simple, inexpensive design has been preferred, however, the configuration where the bolt is attached to the breech block has hitherto been retained (Valme(t'' Gall:. Meanwhile, the bolt is still attached if the requirement so dictates, but an indirect effect on the breech block is preferred in the main.

In weapons constructed with a housing, used cartridge cases are as a rule ejected to the side. In modern weapons, there is normally a return spring over the breech block. The ejection outlet is usually on the right hand side. Even bolts connected directly to the breech block are, in the main, on the right hand side.

It is therefore possible for the handle connected to the bolt to collide with the ejected cartridge cases. Naturally, every effort is made to select the handle siting and the ejection trajectory of the cartridge cases so that the latter are ejected without colliding with the former. Particularly with military weapons, the constraints occurring in later use (fouling, ambient temperature, weapon temperature, cartridge loading and case construction) vary so widely that their effects can no longer be taken into account in the design. Hence, from thousands of firings, for example, it may happen that a cartridge case, after colliding with the bolt, ricochets against the weapon itself. stoppage may be the consequence.

Of course, this fault is a very rare occurrence. Nonetheless, a modern weapon should be free from such stoppages occasioned by its design. Faults due solely to operator error and ammunition defects are high enough in number.

The defect described can, however, be minirnised somewhat if the bolt and its handle are ( - held lightly and for a short period. Angling the shaft of the bolt (Gaul) is also used to moderate this problem. If this defect has been observed and is now to be prevented, then the designer seeks as far as possible to remove the handle from the vicinity of the flight path of the cartridge cases, or at least design it to be small enough so that the risk of a collision is slight.

Starting from this state of the art, the invention's basic task is to reduce the number of stoppages. It is also the invention's task to moderate the aforementioned problem and hence decrease still further the number of (rare) stoppages. In particular, this will have the result of improving the firearm cited at the outset, so that stoppages arising from an ejected cartridge ricocheting after colliding with the bolt handle or elsewhere during are averted as far as possible.

The invention purports to resolve this problem, in that on the firearm cited at the outset, the bolt handle is made of plastic, is enlarged, and has a cartridge case deflector on the side facing trajectory, which steers cartridge cases colliding with it away from the weapon (Claim 1).

In a way that is completely against the rules, the handle is not, as before, decreased, but enlarged, in size, so that the risk that it comes into contact with an ejected cartridge case is multiplied many times over. In comparison, the large deflector surface can be formed such that ejected cases are reliably prevented from colliding with the weapon, and are actually propelled deliberately elsewhere. The plastic material of the enlarged handle can also, depending on its composition, dampen the impact still further.

Purtherrnore, plastic is used in order that no excessive mass is coupled with the breech block so as to impair its perfect functioning. The impact with the plastic handle, with its large surface area, however, occasions no injury to the firer. In addition, the handle causes external obstacles in the vicinity of the ejection outlet to be deflected sideways via its motion. These obstacles, such as undergrowth, could otherwise obstruct the flight of the cartridge case and cause it to ricochet against the weapon.

Recordings with the tempophone under extreme constraints (overcharged and undercharged ammunition, fouled weapon or similar) have shown that cartridge cases, if they collide with the deflector, are directed forward from the weapon. Thus, even on the range, the instructor or other firer standing next to the firer is no longer bothered by hot, ejected cartridge cases, which can otherwise fly into his face or clothing. It also eases

loading with thick gloves or any obstacle at hand, or with the aid of any kind of edge, as the enlarged handle can be grasped or supported effortlessly.

In a preferred form of the invention, the handle extends in a wedge shape outwards from the shaft (Claim 2). In sum, it thus bears a slight resemblance to the wooden head of a golf club, with its striking surface as the deflector. The handle also protrudes well into the area through which the ejected cartridges can or must pass.

Preferably, however, the deflector surface is not shaped like a golf club, but is concave (Claim 3). The concave surface to some extent groups the trajectories so that the cartridge cases, depending on the constraints, can be set to one side.

The deflector can be a smooth plastic surface on the handle, but may also be reinforced with a covering. It is particularly beneficial for the deflector to be infilled with a metal plate (Claim 4). This metal plate protects the plastic handle from being damaged by the impact of hot cartridge cases. The handle thus achieves a durability that is not inferior to that of the complete weapon.

This metal plate can be bonded or screwed to the plastic; however, it is preferable for the metal plate to be angled on both sides and bedded into the plastic (Claim 5). The metal plate, linked with the handle, is then particularly durable. Should it in fact need to be exchanged, this is achievable by making the handle exchangeable or removable (Claim 6).

The handle is therefore not, as is normal, formed as one part with the shaft, but is secured to the latter and can be removed.

In a simple breech block, the shaft is attached to it. If a locked breech block with a mushroom head and a breech block carrier is used, then it is preferable for the shaft to be secured directly to the said breech block with a mushroom head and a breech block carrier (Claim 7). In every case, the bolt moves at the same velocity as the cartridge case if the latter is on the point of being ejected. However, opposed by the rearward velocity component of the previously ejected cartridge case, the breech block and bolt continue to decelerate, so that the deflector and cartridge case approach one another. However, the impact in every case is perhaps less forceful than that in a fixed, lateral version of the

weapon. It is therefore clear that, given a suitable deflector design, the cartridge case can always be directed away from the weapon.

The object of the invention will be described in more detail with the aid of a specimen design and the appended drawing. This shows: Fig. 1 a sectional view of an automatic weapon in an extremely schematic presentation, Fig. 2 an isometric view of the deflector plate from Fig. 1, in a slightly modified form.

"From above" gives the position of the weapon, and the arrow indicates the direction of f". Imng. The weapon (Fig.l) has a box-shaped housing 1, made from sheet metal or reinforced plastic. There is an ejection outlet 3 on the right hand side and behind this a slot 5, whose purpose will be explained later. In the housing 1, a breech block, formed by a breech block head 7 and a breech block carrier 15, slides in and against the direction of fire (arrow). (In the drawing, in order that the breech block head 7 is visible, it is illustrated too far forward). On the front of the breech block head 7, there is a depression to accommodate the base of a cartridge. On the side facing away from the ejection outlet 3, an ejector 17 leads into this depression. On the opposite side, there is an extractor, which engages with the rim of the cartridge case.

After firing, the breech block 15 initially moves rearwards, against the force exerted by a return spring which is not shown in the diagram. At the same time, it displaces a locking pin, thus releasing the breech block head 7. The breech block carrier 15 then takes the breech block head with it. This again takes the case 9 of the cartridge that has just been fired with it and ejects the cartridge case 9. This is rotated laterally about the extractor claw and whirls out of the ejection outlet 3.

A shaft 13 is attached to the breech block carrier IS, which protrudes laterally, and to which is secured a handle 11. When the breech block carrier 15 moves to the rear, the shaft 13 moves backwards into the slot 5 but, when the weapon is fired, does not

completely reach the rear end of the slot 5. This rear end leads into a larger boring in the housing 1. When the weapon is stripped down, then, after the aforementioned return spring has been removed, the breech block carrier 15 can be pulled further to the rear than would otherwise be possible, using the handle 11. In addition, the shaft 13 enters the larger boring at the end of the slot 5 and can then be pulled out sideways from the breech block carrier 15 and the housing 1. The entire breech block assembly 7, 15 can then be pulled out rearwards from the housing 1.

The handle 11 is shaped like the head of a golf club and is thus significantly (approximately 6 to 8 times) higher in the vertical dimension than the diameter of the shaft 13. This body of the handle 11 is made from tough, impact-resistant plastic. Cast metal elements allow reliable fastening to the shaft 13. On the front, and easily fumed upwards, is a deflector, which is covered with a metal plate 19. The lateral extension of the handle 11 can be almost 40 mm.

The metal plate 19 (Fig. 2) and thus the deflector are concave in shape. The centre point of the curvature is over the ejection outlet and further displaced laterally from the housing than the extreme side edge of the handle 11. The metal plate 19 is folded at top and bottom. The flanges thus formed are embedded in the plastic of the handle 11.

Fastenings for the shaft 13, or the shaft 13 alone, and the metal plate 19, are manufactured together with the handle 11 by composite casting and thus bond securely and permanently with one another.

During ejection of the cartridge case 9, this has a rearwards velocity component and a lateral velocity component. Initially, the handle 11 moves at the same velocity as the rearwards component cited, but becomes rapidly slower owing to the effect of the return spring. If the lateral component is now small (perhaps due to a weak charge, fouling of the weapon, or low quality case material), then the cartridge case 9 strikes the metal plate 19, bounces off and is directed sideways from the weapon as a result of the concave design of the deflector or the metal plate 19. Simultaneously, the handle 11 forms an unusually firm and secure handling device to complete the loading process.

The weapon shown is preferred as a hunting rifle, but can also be a military rifle or a rapid fire rifle.

Legend 1 Housing 3 Ejection outlet 5 Slot in housing 1 7 Breech block head 9 Cartridge case 1 1 Handle 1 3 Shaft 15 Breech block carrier 17 Ejector 19 Metal plate on the deflector

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:

1. Automatic firearm with a breech block assembly (7, 15), surrounded by a housing (1), which has an ejection outlet (3) for cartridge cases (9), and a bolt (l l, 13), with a shaft (13), with one end secured to the breech block (15), which penetrates the housing (1) in the vicinity of the ejection outlet (3), and whose free end bears a handle (11), which moves backwards and forwards together with the breech block (7), and is in the area of the trajectory of the ejected cartridge cases, characterized in that the handle (11 is made of plastic, is enlarged and, on its side facing the trajectory has a deflector (19) for the cartridge cases (9), which directs the impacting cartridge cases (9) away from the weapon.

2. Automatic firearm as in Claim 1, characterized in that the handle (11) extends out from the shaft (13) in a wedge shape.

3. Automatic firearm as in either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the deflector (19) is concave.

4. Automatic firearm as in any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the deflector is fitted with a metal plate (19).

5. Automatic firearm as in Claim 4, characterized in that the metal plate (l9) is angled at both sides and embedded in the plastic handle (11).

6. Automatic firearm as in any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the handle (11) is removable from the shaft (13), or the handle (11) with the shaft (13) is removable from the breech block (15).

7. Automatic firearm as in any of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the shaft (13) is fastened to the breech block carrier (i5) of a breech block assembly (7, i5) provided with a breech block head (7).

8. Automatic firearm substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.