US3603201A - Firing mechanism for high rate of fire revolving battery gun - Google Patents

Firing mechanism for high rate of fire revolving battery gun Download PDF

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Publication number
US3603201A
US3603201A US879277A US3603201DA US3603201A US 3603201 A US3603201 A US 3603201A US 879277 A US879277 A US 879277A US 3603201D A US3603201D A US 3603201DA US 3603201 A US3603201 A US 3603201A
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United States
Prior art keywords
cam
housing
spring means
plunger
rotor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US879277A
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English (en)
Inventor
Anthony J Aloi
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General Electric Co
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General Electric Co
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Publication date
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Publication of US3603201A publication Critical patent/US3603201A/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A19/00—Firing or trigger mechanisms; Cocking mechanisms
    • F41A19/06—Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms
    • F41A19/18—Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms for multibarrel guns or multiple guns
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A19/00—Firing or trigger mechanisms; Cocking mechanisms
    • F41A19/06—Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms
    • F41A19/25—Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms having only slidably-mounted striker elements, i.e. percussion or firing pins
    • F41A19/27—Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms having only slidably-mounted striker elements, i.e. percussion or firing pins the percussion or firing pin being movable relative to the breech-block
    • F41A19/29—Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms having only slidably-mounted striker elements, i.e. percussion or firing pins the percussion or firing pin being movable relative to the breech-block propelled by a spring under tension
    • F41A19/30—Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms having only slidably-mounted striker elements, i.e. percussion or firing pins the percussion or firing pin being movable relative to the breech-block propelled by a spring under tension in bolt-action guns
    • F41A19/34—Cocking mechanisms
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41F—APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING PROJECTILES OR MISSILES FROM BARRELS, e.g. CANNONS; LAUNCHERS FOR ROCKETS OR TORPEDOES; HARPOON GUNS
    • F41F1/00—Launching apparatus for projecting projectiles or missiles from barrels, e.g. cannons; Harpoon guns
    • F41F1/08—Multibarrel guns, e.g. twin guns
    • F41F1/10—Revolving-cannon guns, i.e. multibarrel guns with the barrels and their respective breeches mounted on a rotor; Breech mechanisms therefor

Definitions

  • a Gatling gun has a stationary housing with a [51] Int. Cl F4ld 7/04 single-mainspring cocking and firing assembly, and a rotor asl l Field of Search sembly having a plurality of gun barrels, respective bolts with 27 firing pins and a rotating cocking and firing control cam.
  • the rotating cam compresses and releases the mainspring to ac- [56] References Clted tivate the firing pin independently of the translation of the NITED STATES PATENTS bolt, which bolt is activated by the conventional stationary 89/ 1 2 housing cam.
  • This invention relates to an improved cocking and firing mechanism for an automatic weapon having a plurality of barrels mounted for rotation about a common axis, popularly known as a Gatling gun.
  • the earlier Gatling guns comprised a housing enclosing and supporting a rotor assembly; the rotor assembly in turn supporting a plurality of barrels.
  • a mainspring was customarily disposed in each cartridge-carrying bolt assembly to inpulse a respective firing pin, irrespective of whether percussion or electrically fired ammunition was used.
  • An early percussionfil'ed gun is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 125,563, issued Apr. 9, 1872 to R. J. Gatling.
  • a more recent electrically fired gun is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,849,921, issued Sept. 2, 1958 to H. McC. Otto.
  • each of the bolts is mounted in the rotor and follows transversely and longitudinally a stationary cam on the housing.
  • a lateral projection on its hammer engages and cams a lever system to initially compress the mainspring, and when the cartridge is locked, to release the compressed mainspring to drive, by means of said lateral projection, the firing pin forward into the primer of the cartridge.
  • a retractor spring on the firing pin functions to withdraw the firing pin. It will be seen that cocking and firing the firing pin is a function of the longitudinal translation of the bolt.
  • a feature of-this invention is the provision of a Gatling gun having a stationary housing with a single mainspring cocking and firing assembly thereon, and a rotor assembly having a plurality of gun barrels, respective bolts with firing pins and a rotating cocking and firing control cam.
  • the rotating cam compresses and releases the mainspring to actuate the firing pin independently of the translation of the bolt, which bolt is actuated by the conventional stationary housing cam.
  • FIG. 1 is partial view in longitudinal cross section of a Gatling gun incorporating a cocking and firing mechanism embodying this invention
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cocking and firing mechanism of FIG. 1.
  • the cocking and firing mechanism embodying this invention is designed to be incorporated in. a Gatling gun of the type shown in U.S. Pat, No. 3,380,343, supra, to which recourse should be had for details not herein described.
  • the gun includes a stationaryhousinglO in which a rotor 12 is journaled for rotation. about a longitudinal, axisc-c-
  • the forwardbearing 14 is shown in FIG. 1 as having its inner race captured. to the rotorbetween a shoulder 16 and a retaining ring, -18 -A plurality of gun barrels 20, in this embodiment three in number are respectively mounted in. three longitudinal bores 22 in the rotor by means ofinterrupted threads 24.
  • the aft'end of the bore 26 of each barrel is enlarged to form a chamber 28 adapted to receive a cartridge 30.
  • the bolt assembly includes an elongated body 40 having a longitudinal bore 42, a medial, diametral slot 44, a bore 46, a slot 48, and a hole 50.
  • a cam follower 52 is captured on a spindle 54 which is disposed through the bore 46.
  • An antifriction follower 56 is disposed in the slot 48 and is journaled on the spindle 54.
  • the spindle is retained in the bore 46 by a pair of cross-pin guides 58 which I are disposed into the hole 50.
  • a hammer assembly is disposed in the bolt assembly and has a body portion 60 disposed in the slot 44, with a hammerhead 47 projecting radially outwardly, and a tail portion 64 extending longitudinally rearwardly.
  • a return spring 66 is captured on a firing pin 62 disposed between the hammer body 60 and a bored, threaded bolt face fitting 68.
  • a pair of extractor rim gripping lugs 70 project forwardly from the body 40; and a pair of locking lugs 71 and a pair of forward guides 73 project laterally from the body.
  • a cam lug 72 projects upwardly from the body.
  • the cam lug 72 has an upper cam following surface 74 which serves to depress the forward end of the bolt, as shown in FIG.
  • the lug 72 has a lower cam following surface 76 which serves to lift the forward end of the bolt upwardly to engage the pair of lugs 70 with the cartridge extractor rim. Longitudinal movement of the bolt is controlled by the follower 52 riding in a cam slot, not shown, in the main housing, and guided by the pair of cross-pin guides 58 and the pair of forward guides 73 riding in a slot 78 of a trackway and the forward portion of bolt and follower 56 riding in the trackway.
  • the cocking and firing assembly includes an annular cam 80 having a plurality of ramp surfaces 82, one for each bolt.
  • the cam 80 is fixed to the rotor 12 by a plurality of pins 84.
  • a spring assembly includes a cover plate 86 which is releasably mounted to the housing 10 by two side catches, not shown, and has two upstanding knuckles 88.
  • An L-shaped lever 90 is disposed between the knuckles and pivoted thereto by a pin 91 through the elbow 92.
  • the short leg 94 of the lever extends through a slot 96 in the cover into the gun.
  • the long leg 98 of the lever is releasably secured to the housing by a catch, not shown, passing through a cross-hole 100.
  • the cover has a longitudinal bore 102 therethrough, in which a cam follower 104 is disposed.
  • the follower has a nose 106, an aft blind bore 108 whichhas a partial lateral opening 110 and a snapring slot 112, and adownwardly extending lug 113.
  • a helical compression spring 114 is disposed in the bore, has a poppet 116 at its aft end, and is captured between the forward face of the bore and a c-shaped snapring 118 disposed in the slot 112.
  • the spring 114 is adapted to be compressed between the cam 80 and the lever short leg 94.
  • the inner side of the cover has a cam surface 120 adapted to gradually drive the cam follower surface 74 downwardly so as to cam the bolt into a locked position.
  • An unlocking cam is disposed within the housing and has a tang which is adapted to engage the cam following surface 76 on the lug 72 to gradually drive this surface upwardly, thereby unlocking the bolt.
  • Maximum forward movement of the follower is limited by mu tually abutting surfaces 121 on the cover bore and 122 on the follower.
  • Each cam surface 82 has a dwell portion 82a, which does not engage the follower due to the follower being halted by the surface 121, a ramp portion 82b, which gradually forces the follower back, compressing the spring against the short leg 94, and a sharp drop 82c, which releases the follower.
  • the rotor 12 rotates in the direction A, and the cam follower 52 advances the bolt longitudinally forward with a cartridge 30 held on the extractor lugs 70 to chamber the cartridge in the chamber 28.
  • the cover cam surface 120 depresses the cam follower surface 74, tilting the forward end of the bolt downwardly, disengaging the extractor lugs 70 from the cartridge and engaging the locking lugs 71 with the locking shoulders in the bore.
  • the cam surface 82b rides against the cam follower nose 106, compressing the spring 114 against the lever short leg 94.
  • the cam follower nose rides off the drop 82c and is accelerated forward by the spring, carrying with it the lug 113.
  • the lug strikes the hammer 47, which drives the firing pin forward against the bias of the retractor spring 66, to indent the base of the cartridge, firing the round. Forward movement of the nose is halted by the stop surface 121 on the cover.
  • the retractor spring 66 retracts the firing pin.
  • the unlocking lug on the housing rides under and lifts the cam follower surface 76 tilting the forward end of the bolt upwardly, reengaging the extractor lugs 70 with the cartridge and disengaging the locking lugs from the locking shoulder in the bore.
  • the cam follower 52 retracts the bolt longitudinally rearward for subsequent ejection of the cartridge case and receipt of a fresh round.
  • the lever long leg 98 need merely be unlatched and pivoted out, therebyswinging the short leg 94 out of abutment with the poppet 116, thereby precluding compression of the spring 114.
  • a cocking and firing assembly for a multibarrel, high rate of fire automatic gun said gun having a stationary housing, a rotor assembly including a plurality of barrels, respective bolt guideways, and respective bolts, with moveable firing pins, disposed in said guideways, said assembly comprising:
  • annular cam fixed on said rotor assembly and having a like plurality of camming ramp surfaces
  • a plunger mounted to said housing and adapted to ride on said annular cam
  • spring means mounted to said housing for biasing said plunger against said annular cam
  • each cam ramp surface in sequence initially progressively drives said plunger aft against said spring means and subsequently releases said plunger which is then driven forward by said spring means and hammers said firing pin.
  • a cocking and firing assembly for a multibarrel, high rate of fire automatic gun said gun having a stationary housing, a rotor assembly including a plurality of barrels, respective bolt guideways, and respective bolts, with moveable firing pins, disposed in said guideways, said assembly comprising:
  • a plunger mounted to said housing and adapted to ride on said annular cam
  • spring means having a forward and an aft end, mounted to said housing, said forward end for biasing said plunger against said annular cam;
  • abutment means mounted to said housing for restraining said aft end of said spring means
  • each cam ramp surface in sequence initially progressively drives said plunger aft against and compresses said spring means against said abutment means and subsequently releases said plunger which is then driven forward by said spring means and hammers said firing pin.
  • a multibarrel, high rate of fire, automatic gun comprising a housing having a cam groove on an internal peripheral surface thereof;
  • a rotor assembly journalcd longitudinally coaxially within said housing for relative rotation therewith, said rotor assembly including a rotor body;
  • annular cam having a like plurality of camming ramp surfaces
  • each of said bolt assemblies including:
  • a hammer carried by said body and having a radially extending projection
  • a firing pin carried by said body
  • said housing further including a guide means disposed on said internal peripheral surface of said housing,
  • a plunger disposed for longitudinal movement in said guide means and having a cam follower adapted to follow said rotor cam ramp surface, and a radially extending projection adapted to engage said hammer radially extending projection,
  • each cam ramp surface in sequence initially progressively drives said plunger against said spring means and subsequently releases said plunger which is then driven by said spring means, while said radially extruding projeC- tions mutually engage, to drive said hammer and thereby said firing pin toward said barrel receiving port.
  • a multibarrel, high rate of fire, automatic gun comprising a housing having a cam groove on an internal peripheral surface thereof; a rotor assembly journaled longitudinally coaxially within said housing for relative rotation therewith, said rotor assembly including a rotor body;
  • annular cam having a like plurality of camming ramp surfaces
  • each of said bolt assemblies including:
  • a hammer carried by said body and having a radially extending projection
  • a firing pin carried by said body
  • said housing further including a guide means disposed on said internal peripheral surface of said housing,
  • a plunger disposed for longitudinal movement in said guide means and having a cam follower adapted to follow said rotor cam ramp surfaces, and a radially extending projection adapted to engage said hammer radially extending projection,
  • spring means having a forward and an aft end, said for ward end for biasing said plunger against said rotor cam ramp surfaces, releasable abutment means mounted to said housing for restraining said aft end of spring means; whereby as said rotor assembly rotates, each cam ramp surface in sequence initially progressively drives said plunger against and compresses said spring means against said abutment means and subsequently releases said plunger which is then driven by said spring means, while said radially extruding projections mutually engage, to drive hammer and thereby said firing pin toward said barrel receiving port.
  • a gun according to claim 5 wherein: said abutment means has a selectable first alternative position whcreat it restrains said spring means for compres sion, and a second alternative position whereat it clears said spring means thereby precluding compression of said spring means and subsequent hammering of said firing pm.
  • said guide means, said plunger, said spring means, and said releasable abutment means are included in a common assembly mounted in said housing by a latch means,
  • said abutment means being part of said latch means and disposed in said first position when said latch means is latched, and disposed in said second position when said latch means is unlatched.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Portable Nailing Machines And Staplers (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
US879277A 1969-11-24 1969-11-24 Firing mechanism for high rate of fire revolving battery gun Expired - Lifetime US3603201A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US87927769A 1969-11-24 1969-11-24

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US3603201A true US3603201A (en) 1971-09-07

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US879277A Expired - Lifetime US3603201A (en) 1969-11-24 1969-11-24 Firing mechanism for high rate of fire revolving battery gun

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US (1) US3603201A (xx)
JP (1) JPS50880B1 (xx)
DE (1) DE2057613C3 (xx)
GB (1) GB1326397A (xx)
NL (1) NL164660C (xx)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4345505A (en) * 1980-06-11 1982-08-24 General Electric Company Firing pin locking system
US6422120B1 (en) * 1999-08-03 2002-07-23 General Dynamics Armament Systems, Inc. Firing mechanism for a rotary machine gun
US20060207418A1 (en) * 2005-03-18 2006-09-21 Burke Jimmy W Jr Hand held multibarrel automatic weapon
US8112927B2 (en) 2007-05-17 2012-02-14 Voere Holding Gmbh Chamber lock having a pushbutton firing pin spring tensioning device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3707063A1 (de) * 1987-03-05 1988-09-15 Rheinmetall Gmbh Repetiereinrichtung fuer eine abfeuereinrichtung einer rohrwaffe

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US502185A (en) * 1893-07-25 Machine-gun
US698472A (en) * 1897-08-24 1902-04-29 Driggs Seabury Gun And Ammunition Company Automatic gun.
US2849921A (en) * 1954-04-02 1958-09-02 Company The Schenectady Trust Gatling gun
US3342105A (en) * 1966-01-28 1967-09-19 Emile J Fagerstrom Boltless gatling gun mechanism
US3380343A (en) * 1966-12-21 1968-04-30 Gen Electric Firing mechanism for high rate of fire multi-barrel automatic weapon

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US502185A (en) * 1893-07-25 Machine-gun
US698472A (en) * 1897-08-24 1902-04-29 Driggs Seabury Gun And Ammunition Company Automatic gun.
US2849921A (en) * 1954-04-02 1958-09-02 Company The Schenectady Trust Gatling gun
US3342105A (en) * 1966-01-28 1967-09-19 Emile J Fagerstrom Boltless gatling gun mechanism
US3380343A (en) * 1966-12-21 1968-04-30 Gen Electric Firing mechanism for high rate of fire multi-barrel automatic weapon

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4345505A (en) * 1980-06-11 1982-08-24 General Electric Company Firing pin locking system
US6422120B1 (en) * 1999-08-03 2002-07-23 General Dynamics Armament Systems, Inc. Firing mechanism for a rotary machine gun
US20060207418A1 (en) * 2005-03-18 2006-09-21 Burke Jimmy W Jr Hand held multibarrel automatic weapon
US8112927B2 (en) 2007-05-17 2012-02-14 Voere Holding Gmbh Chamber lock having a pushbutton firing pin spring tensioning device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS50880B1 (xx) 1975-01-13
NL164660C (nl) 1981-01-15
DE2057613A1 (de) 1971-06-16
NL7017114A (xx) 1971-05-26
DE2057613B2 (de) 1979-11-29
GB1326397A (en) 1973-08-08
NL164660B (nl) 1980-08-15
DE2057613C3 (de) 1980-08-07

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