US2444920A

US2444920A - Firing mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2444920A
Application number: US721831A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr George B Davis; Isaac F Rosenkrantz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-01-13
Filing date: 1947-01-13
Publication date: 1948-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 1965-07-13

Description

Jy 13, 1948. G. B. DAvls, JR., Erm. 4,920

V FIRING MEcHANIsM Filed Jan. 13, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 EEQIBE .B Iluvis, *T TI- PLI 1.51111: RRusarlkI-mntz JUE? my w48 G. B. DAvls, JR, ETAL 2,444,920

FIRING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 15, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 'July' 13 l948; G. B. DAvls, JR., TAL; 2,444,920

IRI'NG MEGHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 13, 1947 Patented July 13, 1948 FIRIN G MECHANISM George B. Davis, Jr., Washington,

D. C., and

Isaac F. Rosenkrantz, Greenbelt, Md. Application January 13, 1947, Serial No. 721,831

8 Claims.

(Granted under the act of March amended April 30, 1928; 370 0.

The invention described in the foregoing specication and claims may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to improvements in firing mechanism for guns, and particularly mortars.

An object of the invention is to provide selective means whereby a firing pin may be extended for drop firing and retracted for hand firing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a firing mechanism wherein the firing pin may be projected into the rear end of the gun barrel and held in position to detonate a primer in the base of `a round, when the round gravitates into firing position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a iiring mechanism wherein the firing pin may be retracted and held against the influence of a compressed firing spring and released at a desired time.

A further object of the invention is to provide positive cam-operated means for selectively retracting or projecting the firing pin at the will of an operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide an emergency stop extension on the firing pin holder to prevent breakage of the moving parts, if excessive blow-back pressure is developed in the gun barrel.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a retractor spring on the firing pin whose bias is so proportioned to the bias of the ring spring, that the iiring pin is caused to normally assume a partly retracted or neutral position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide closure means carried by the ring pin for preventing propellent gases from reaching the firing mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a mortar barrel equipped with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal on the line 2 2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of Figure 2 taken on the line 3 3,

Figure 4 is a similar view taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 2,

sectional view taken 3, 1883, as G. 757) 2 Figure 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2 and showing parts in elevation,

Figure 6a is a development illustrating the relationship of the cooking pin, its slot and the cooperating cams in neutral position,

Figure 7 is a View similar to Figure 6 showing the firing pin in cocked position,

Figure 7a is a development illustrating the relationship of the cooking pin, its slot and the cooperating cams in cocked position,

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the parts in nred position,

Figure 8a is a development illustrating the relationship of the cooking pin, its slot and the cooperating cams in red position,

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the firing pin locked in its forward position, and,

Figure 9a is a development illustrating the relationship of the cooking pin, its slot and the cooperating cams in the forward position of. the firing pin.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose'of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reference character B indicates a barrel for guiding a projectile.

A breech closure I0 of cup-like formation is screw-threadedly connected to the barrel Bat its forward end, and has a rearwardly extending portion I I. The portion II is bored and screwthreaded at I2 to receive the forward screwf threaded end of a tubular housing i3.

Formed in the breech closure l0 is a partition I4 having a forwardly extending boss I5 centrally of its forward face, for limiting the rearward movement of an inserted round (not shown).

Concentric with the longitudinal axis of the breach closure Il] and extending throughthe boss I5 is a bore I5, formed to slidably receive the reduced forward end I1 of a firing pin I8.

The tubular housing I3 is provided :with a central longitudinal bore I9 concentric with the bore I6 in the boss I5. Slidable and oscillatable in the bore I9 is a cylindrical ringpin holder 26 secured to the rear end of the firing pin IB'by a pin 2l. The rear end of the bore I9 is closed by a wall 22 between which and the rearv end of the firing pin holder 2l) a firing spring 23 is compressed.

Emergency stop means in the form of a rod 24, secured to the rear end of the ring pin holder 20, abuts the end wall 22 if excessive 3 blow-back pressure is developed in the gun barrel B.

The forward end of the bore I9 is counterbored as at 25 to form a seat for a sleeve 2B which acts as a stop shoulder for a collar 2l surrounding firing pin: I8; A retractor spring 28 surrounds the firing pin I8 and is confined between the forward end of the firing pin holder 23 and the collar 21.

A cylindrical enlargement 23 formed on the firing pin I8 slides Within the sleeve 23, and when the gun is fired, abuts the rear surface `of the partition I4 adjacent the bore I3. The en largement 29 also serves as a closure for the bore I6 to prevent propellent gases from entering the bore I9 and destroying the springs 23 and'28.

A stud 30 is secured to the firing pin holder 23 and extends radially therefrom throughA a longitudinal slot 3I in the tubular housing I3. The longitudinal slot 3I has oppositely extending

circumferential branches

32 and 33.

Rotatably mounted exteriorly of the tubular housing .I3 is a sleeve 34 having an internal annular groove 35 for receiving the outer end of the radially extending stud 3l). The sleeve 34 is restrained" against longitudinal movement by the rear portion I.I of the breech closure and by a stop enlargement 36 formed on the tubular'housing I3; The annular groove 35 is formedlwith a longitudinalpassageway.31 to facilitate assembly, and. circumferentiall'y extending enlargements including carnsurfacesl 3S and39. One wall 4l) ofthe passage-way 3T is'L extended forwardly and serves as a firing means` when the stud 33 is seated in the branch 32 of slot 3I, and the sleeve 34`1isrotated in a counter-clockwise direction;

After a round is` fired the sleeve 34 may be rotated in a clock-wise. direction at which time the cam surface 38 will contact the stud 30 and returnit to' itsfcocked position in the branch 32 of" the' slot 3l;

"When the" firing pinis in neutral position and it'is" desired to change to drop re the sleevev 34 is rotated in counter-clockwise direction, forcing the'carnl surface 39 against the` stud 3B and seating it" in the branch 33 Yof the longitudinal slot 3|". Thisroperation will hold the forward end I'I of the'ring-pin inanextended Iposition within the basecap.

Suitable indicia 4I isA impressed on the outer circumference of thesleeve 34 adjacent the'stop 361' A pointer' 42 on the stop 3S registers with the'indicia 4'I- when the sleeve 34 is rotated to clearly indicate the position of the firing mechanism;

A-spring pressed detent 43 locks the tubular housing-I3 to the rear portion II of the'. breech -closurelll The reduced tang of the detent projectsiradially outwardlof the breech closure and is ttedwith a ring, 44 for easy withdrawalof the detentV from its locked position.

The: operation of the iringl mechanism is as follows:

Figureswl, 6 and 6a show the mechanism in a neutralizor safety position. The bias of the retractor` spring` 28 resists the bias of the ring spring suiciently to keep the firing pin holder andfits: stud 30`in the position shown. The forward end' I-'I of the firing pin I8 is` safely retracted withinthebore I5 in the partition I4.

When it is desired to use the gun it is only necessary to-observe the present position of the indicia14-I and pointer 42, to determine in which direction to rotate the sleeve 34.

If the mechanism is found to be in neutral position, as shown in Figures 6 and 6a, and it is desired to operate the gun as a hand fired Weapon, the sleeve 34 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the rear of the gun. This movement of the sleeve causes the cam surface 38 to bear on the stud 30 and'y retract it in the slot 31| until? the stud is seated inthe branch 32' of the Isaid slot, as shown in Figures 7 and 7a.

The firing mechanism is cocked by the above described movement of the sleeve 34 and cam 38, and when a round of ammunition (not shown) is placed: inthe-barrel, the weapon is ready to be fired.'

Counter-clockwise movement of the sleeve 34 will cause the wall 40 of the passageway 31 to bear' against the stud 30, forcing it out of the branch. slot 32 and. into the slot Si. The firing pin holder ll-,is'then free to move forward under the bias of the firing spring 23 and force the ring pin through. the bore I5 of the partition I4 into operative. position, as shown in Figures 8 and. 8a.v

Figure. 8. shows the, positionof the mechanism at the instant of ring. It will be seen in this figure that thepassage of propellent gases from thewbarrel is' prevented by the enlargement 29 on the ri'ng pin abutting the rear face of the partition I4 and sealing the bore IE.

After the force fof` the firing stroke has subsided in the firing pin andholder 23,. the retractor spring` 28=recovers and returnsthemechanism to neutral position as shown in Figure 6. Ify desired the weaponmay be cocked again by the method above described.

If it is desired to set the weaponfor drop fire, as shown in Figures 9 and 9a, counter-clockwise movement is imparted to the sleeve 34. As has been described, the `ring-v mechanism is normally infneutral-positionso thateither methodof fire may becluicklyl selectedby the simple operation of rotating the sleeve 34.

When the sleeve issrotated counter-clockwise the Ycam surface ofl the groove 35 bears against the studl 30;,forcing' it forwardly to project the firing pin -end I'I into the barrel. The stud 3B is'also-forcedintofthe branch 330i. the slot 3| Where-it remains to lock the firingV pin in operative position for `drop fire;

It is tobe understood that the form of the invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken asa preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of' parts-may be resorted to, without departing` from the spirit of the invention, or the scope ofI the subjoinedY claims.

We claim:r

1. A gun firing mechanism comprising, a breechr closure having an aperturetherein, a generally tubular housing threadedly engagedl with saidA closureincluding, a. longitudinal slot in the outer periphery thereof having oppositely extending circumferential branches adjacent to its opposite ends, a. ring pin and holder secured together for-jointreciprocation within said housing, a firing springmounted for compression between said holder and an end Wall of said housing,v emergency stop means on saidr holder, shoulder means in saidlhousing, abutment means on said firing `pin slidable Within said shoulder means, a collar slidably mounted on said. firing pin. and engageable with said shoulder means, a retractor spring on saidrring, pin compressible between said collar andv said holder for resiliently retaining said firing pin out of said. aperture, a stud projecting radially from said holder through and slightly beyond said slot, and a sleeve rotatably mounted on the exterior of said housing including an internal annular groove receiving said stud and defining a lplurality of cam surfaces engageable therewith, said mechanism be ing constructed and arranged whereby rotation of said sleeve in one direction is operative to position said Stud in one of said branches compressing said firing spring and cooking said ring pin, and reverse rotation of said sleeve is operative to release said stud from said one branch, continued reverse rotation causing said stud to be seated in the other of said branches compressing said retractor spring and extending said iiring pin through said aperture.

2. A gun firing mechanism comprising, a breech closure having an aperture therein, a generally tubular housing threadedly engaged with said closure including a longitudinal slot in the outer periphery thereof having oppositely extending circumferential branches adjacent to its opposite ends, a firing pin and holder secured together Vfor joint reciprocation within said housing, a firing spring mounted for compression between said holder and an end wall of said housing, shoulder means in said housing, abutment means on said firing pin slidable within said shoulder means, a collar slidab'ly mounted on said iiring pin and engageable with said shoulder means, a retractor spring on said firing pin compressible between said collar and said holder for resiliently retaining said firing pin out of said aperture, a stud projecting radially from said holder through and slightly beyond said slot, and a sleeve rotatably mounted on the exterior of said housing including an internal annular groove receiv ing said stud and dening a plurality of cam surfaces engageable therewith, said mechanism being constructed and arranged whereby rotation of said sleeve in one direction is operative to position said stud in one of said branches compressing said firing spring and cooking said ring pin, and reverse rotation of said sleeve is operative to release said stud from said one branch, continued reverse rotation causing said stud to be seated in the other of said branches compressing said retractor spring and extending said firing pin through said aperture.

3. A gun firing mechanism comprising, a breech closure having an aperture therein, a housing engaged with said closure including a longitudinal slot in the outer periphery thereof having oppositely extending circumferential branches ad jacent to its opposite ends, a ring pin reciprocable within said housing, a firing spring urging said firing pin toward said aperture, shoulder means in said housing, abutment means on said firing pin, a collar slidably mounted on said ring pin and engageable with said shoulder means, a retractor spring on said firing pin, a stud connected to said firing pin and projecting through and slightly beyond said slot, and a sleeve rotatably mounted on the exterior of said housing including an internal annular groove receiving said stud and defining a plurality of cam surfaces engageable therewith, said mechanism being constructed and arranged whereby rotation of said sleeve in one direction is operative te position said stud in one of said branches compressing said firing spring and cooking said rn ing pin, and reverse rotation of said sleeve is operative to release said stud from said one branch, continued reverse rotation causing said stud to be seated in the other of said branches d compressing said retractor spring and extending said firing pin through said aperture.

4. A gun firing mechanism comprising, a breech closure having an aperture therein, a housing engaged with said closure including a longitudinal slot in the outer periphery thereof having offse branches adjacent to its opposite ends, a firing pin reciprocable within said housing, a nring spring urging said firing pin toward said aperture, means for resiliently retaining said iiring pin out of said aperture, a stud connected to said ring pin and projecting through and slightly :beyond said slot, and a sleeve rotatably mounted on the exterior of said housing including an internal annular groove receiving said stud and defining a plurality of cam surfaces engageable therewith, said mechanism being constructed and arranged whereby rotation of said sleeve in one direction is operative to position said stud in one of said branches compressing said ring spring and cooking said firing pin, reverse rotation of said sleeve causing said stud to be seated in the other of said branches and extending said firing pin through said aperture.

5. A gun ring mechanism comprising, a breech closure having an aperture therein, a housing attached to said closure and including means forming a longitudinal through slot therein having oifset branches extending therefrom, a iiring pin in said housing, a firing spring urging said firing pin toward said aperture, a stud connected to said ring pin and projecting through and beyond said slot, and a sleeve enclosing said slot including means forming a plurality of cam surfaces engageable with said stud and constructed and arranged whereby successive opposite rotation of said sleeve alternately positions said stud in each of said branches.

6. A gun ring mechanism comprising, a housing, means forming a longitudinal through slot in said housing having an oifset branch extending therefrom, a firing pin in said housing, a stud connected to said firing pin and projecting through and beyond said slot, and a sleeve enclosing said slot including means forming a cam surface engageable with said stud and constructed and arranged whereby rotation of said sleeve positions said stud in said branch.

7. A gun ring mechanism comprising, a breech closure having an aperture therein, a housing threadedly engaged with said closure, a firing pin reciprocable in said aperture, a holder` secured to said ring pin for joint reciprocation within said housing, a firing spring mounted for compression between said holder and an end wall of said housing, abutment means on said firing pin slidable within said housing into contact with the said breech closure adjacent the said aperture to effect a gas tight seal to prevent flow of propellent gas to the said housing, and means for cooking and releasing the ring pin.

8. A gun firing mechanism comprising a breech closure having an aperture therein, a housing threadedly engaged with said closure, a :Firing pin reciprocable in said aperture, a holder secured to said iiring pin for joint reciprocation within said housing, a firing spring mounted for compression between said holder and an end wall oi said housing, abutment means on said firing pin to limit the forward movement of the firing pin and seal the said aperture against passage of propellent gases to the said housing, and means for cooking and releasing the firing pin.

GEORGE E. DAVIS, JR. ISAAC' F. ROSE-NKRANTZ.