GB879618A - Improvements in and relating to magazine containers for automatic firearms - Google Patents

Abstract

879,618. Cartridge magazines with feed mechanisms; ammunition packing. VERWALTUNGSGESELLSCHAFT DER WERKZEUGMASCHINENFABRIK OERLIKON. Feb. 8, 1960 [Feb. 13, 1959], No. 4406/60. Classes 9(1) and 92. A magazine for automatic firearms has clips L of cartridges P which are inserted in superimposed layers and are pushed downwards by a conveyer device K so that the lowermost clip rests on a surface 54 of a member 56 which carries the clip down with the same speed and direction whilst it is being stripped of cartridges prior to ejection from the magazine. Turned-in edges 12 of the clips engage the base flanges of sets of seven cartridges. Each clip has a U-shaped external rib 13, and has spring-loaded retaining latches 15 and pairs of rollers 14 at either end. The magazine container 8 elevates with the cradle 6 of each of a pair of twin guns 9. It rotates in a bearing ring 5 in non-recoiling sideshields 4 on either side of a rotatable gun platform (Fig 1, not shown). The clips are loaded through the open top 18 of the container 8 so that their rollers 14 at either end slide in vertical channels 19. The nose of of the lowermost set of cartridges rest on the surface 54. Bars 24, 25 oscillated opposedly by a cam-wheel 36 carry spring loaded pawls 26 which engage the ribs 13 to push the clips L down the channels 19 (Fig. 6). Alternatively the pawls maybe on an endless chain as in Fig 10. The ribs on the lower clips engage counter-rotated helices 21 of opposite twist which regulates their downward motion whilst they are being stripped. Similar helices 52 engage the member 56 to move the surface 54 downwards in conformity. Stripping of the clips is effected by arms 72 on a pair of parallel endless chains 71 which engage the outermost cartridge P 7 and push it across the clip after the catch 15 has been released by means not shown. The chain 71 slopes downwards to cause the transverse movement of the arms 72 to conform with the travel of the clip down the helices. The ejected rounds fall on to hooks 82 on a pair of endless conveyer chains 81 and are carried up the guideway 84 to be loaded into their appropriate gun. The helices and conveyer chains are driven synchronously through shafts, bevel and pinion gearing from a spring accumulator (not shown in detail) intermittently replenished from an electric motor.