GB566164A - Improvements in or relating to cartridge feeding mechanism for an automatic gun - Google Patents

Abstract

566,164. Automatic guns. HALL, C. T., and MOLINS MACHINE CO., Ltd. Jan. 21, 1941, No. 814. [Class 92 (ii)] Relates to cartridge-belt feed mechanism of the kind in which the cartridges are advanced to the gun breech by sprocket wheels 11 on a shaft 10 rotated by a loaded spring 12 which is partly rewound on each discharge by a member 25 on the gun barrel 1 engaging a swinging lever 21 geared to the spring. According to the invention, over-winding movement on long recoils is prevented by providing the swing- ing lever with a two-part cam surface 24, 29 for engagement by the member 25. In the form shown, the spring is partly wound at each discharge of the gun by a roller 25 on the recoiling gun engaging a cam surface 24 on a ratchet lever 21 swinging on a shaft 17, the lever carrying a spring pawl 22 for rotating the shaft 10 stepby-step in one direction through bevel gearing 16, 15. The surface 24 is so designed that sufficient movement for one rewinding step is imparted to the pawl 22 on short recoils, reduced movement on long recoils resulting from the passage of the roller 25 on to a second cam surface 29. The gun recoils as a whole below a fixed cylindrical casing 2 housing the belt sprockets. The cartridges are carried in disintegrating belt links 4 and cams 36 on the casing 2 move the cartridges endwise, thus gradually releasing the clips which leave the casing by a shoot at one side of the gun, the loaded belt entering the casing by a similar shoot on the other side of the gun. The cartridges are carried round by the sprockets until they are situated above the loading opening in the gun ready for insertion in the gun breech. Specification 2332/14, [Class 92 (ii)], is referred to.