US3785242A - Belt feeder for automatic firearms - Google Patents

Belt feeder for automatic firearms Download PDF

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Publication number
US3785242A
US3785242A US00235542A US3785242DA US3785242A US 3785242 A US3785242 A US 3785242A US 00235542 A US00235542 A US 00235542A US 3785242D A US3785242D A US 3785242DA US 3785242 A US3785242 A US 3785242A
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United States
Prior art keywords
belt
cartridge
empty
ejector
arrangement according
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
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US00235542A
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English (en)
Inventor
R Hartmann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rheinmetall Industrie AG
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Rheinmetall GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Classifications

    • 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
    • F41A9/00—Feeding or loading of ammunition; Magazines; Guiding means for the extracting of cartridges
    • F41A9/29—Feeding of belted ammunition
    • F41A9/30—Sprocket-type belt transporters

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A belt feeder arrangement for automatic firearms with special spring and cam arrangements to prevent the jamming of the belt member in the ejector slot during changes in ammunition belts.
  • Two spring biased pivotal lever members are mounted adjacent one another to engage the belt member and hold it up out of the ejector slot as it passes thereby.
  • One lever is longer than the other so the levers engage the belt member in series.
  • Alternative embodiments include leaf spring membersin place of the pivotal lever members.
  • spacer members can be arranged at the mounting of the levers for adjusting to different size ammunition and belt members.
  • This invention generally relates to a belt feeder for automatic firearms with a star type feed wheel or rotor feeder for a disintegrating belt; where the belt members comprise a double clamp, housing respectively one cartridge, and a single clamp joined to the double clamp and loosely encompassing the subsequent cartridge, and where the cartridges are introduced into the chamber of the firearm by a breech section engaging into an ejector slot to remove the cartridges from the belt.
  • disturbances can occur during the withdrawal and/or introduction of a belt with a forwardly positioned empty clamp of a belt member, i.e., a clamp which does not contain a cartridge, due to the fact that the ends of the clamp may catch at the edges of the ejector slot.
  • This invention contemplates the provisions of means to avoid this disadvantage by improving a belt feeder of the aforedescribed type in such a manner that, during the introduction and/or removal of a belt, a catching of an empty belt member clamp is prevented.
  • the levers suitably exhibit differing lengths as well as different cams.
  • thelevers become effective one after the other, so that an empty belt clamp may be lifted across even comparatively wide ejector slots.
  • the shorter lever is advantageously disposed in a recess of the longer lever.
  • the levers can thereby be arranged in a particularly compact manner.
  • the levers can also each consist of a leaf spring. These leaf springs are then bent in such a way that they form a corresponding cam.
  • a further advantageous embodiment of this invention contemplates an arrangement where the common axle of the levers is dimensioned to be longer than the width of the belt members, and that the mutual spacing of the levers is made variable by mounting spacers on the axle. In this manner, it is possible depending on the arrangement of the levers and spaces to employ selectively cartridge belts with a right-handed or lefthanded belting. That is, belts wherein, in the first case, the double clamp of a belt member is disposed in the front, and in the other case the single clamp is arranged at that point.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 are fragmentary cross-sectional views of a belt feeder, namely:
  • FIG. 1 showing the introduction of a belt
  • FIG. 2 showing the removal of the belt
  • FIG. 3 is a partial view along line III--III of FIG. 2;
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 show two adjustment positions in a similar view as shown in FIG. 3 for a different embodiment
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing two members of a belt with a cartridge
  • FIG. 7 shows a belt member
  • FIG. 8 is a partial view showing another embodiment of the invention which utilizes leaf springs in place of pivotal levers.
  • Numeral 1 denotes the housing of the belt feeder.
  • a star feed wheel 2 is mounted in the housing I and is rotatably driven stepwise for feeding the cartridges 4 carried by the belt members 3. Since specific arrangements for driving a star feed wheel are generally known, a detailed description of such structure is dispensed with to aid in clarifying the disclosure of the present invention.
  • the belt members together with the cartridges, form a disintegrating belt and exhibit respectively one double clamp 3a encompassing in each case one cartridge, and a single clamp 3b joined therewith and loosely extending around the subsequent cartridge.
  • the belt members are hingedly connected with one another by the cartridges inserted in the clamps. After the withdrawal of respectively one cartridge, effected by a breech section 20 engaging into the ejector slot 5, the empty belt members are ejected through an ejector aperture 6.
  • FIG. 1 shows a belt to be introduced into the belt feeder with a forwardly disposed empty double clamp 3a. Since the single clamp of the [belt member is disposed loosely on the cartridge, the double clamp, during the further insertion of the belt, could fall with its clamp ends, into the ejector slot 5 and about the edge 7 of the slot. Then, during the withdrawal of the belt, the double clamp 3a would catch at the edge 8. This catching of the clamp member 3a is prevented by two levers 9 and 10 of different lengths, exhibiting cams 11 and 12 on their backs. The levers are pivotably mounted on a common axle 13 against the force of a spring 14 outside of the belt feed path with the shorter lever being disposed in a recess 23 of the longer lever (FIG. 3).
  • the spring force can be adjusted by means of a screw 15.
  • the cartridge which is foremost in the belt slides along the cams 11 and 12 on the backs of levers 9 and 10, which are pressed downwardly during this procedure.
  • Lugs or projections 16 and 17 arranged at the front ends of the levers successively exert a supporting effect on the empty front double clamp 3a, in that the central loop 18 of the belt member (FIGS. 6 and 7) is first supported by the lug 16 of the shorter lever and lifted over the edge 8 of the ejector slot 5.
  • the loop 18 slides over the lug 17 of the longer lever, whereby the empty double clamp is lifted over the edge 7 of the ejector slot and pushed into the ejector duct 19. Then, the cartridge 4 passes directly across the ejector slot and can be inserted in a conventional manner in the firearm by means of a breech section 20 moving at right angles to the plane of the drawing through the ejector slot.
  • the loop 18 glides along a guide strip 21 extending from the ejector slot to the ejector opening 6.
  • the belt member cannot tilt backwardly into the ejector slot, since the back of the front clamp is guided along the upper wall 22 of the ejector duct 19.
  • the last belt member remains in the ejector duct 19 and is ejected, during the introduction of a new belt, through the ejector opening 6 by the foremost belt member of the new belt.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 show a modified embodiment of the invention wherein the levers, with the use of spacers 24 which can be attached to the common axle 13a, can either be disposed side-by-side, with the spacers 24 being arranged on the outside (Fl. 4), or at a mutual spacing, with the spacers being arranged therebetween (FIG. 5).
  • the levers 9a and a are fashioned on their backs in the same manner as the levers 9 and I0, i.e., they exhibit the same cams l1 and 12 passing over into the lugs 16 and 17 at the front ends of the levers.
  • the lever arrangement according to FIG. 5 is used for the introduction of a belt with a preceding empty single clamp 3b.
  • the levers are actuated in the same manner by the cartridge positioned foremost in the belt, wherein the lugs 16 and 17 support the two loops 25 of the double clamp and lift the single clamp over the edges 8 and 7 of the ejector slot.
  • a belt feeder arrangement for automatic firearms of the type which use an ammunition cartridge belt formed by a plurality of belt members interconnected to one another which carry the cartridges into communication with a breech section engaging in an ejector slot for separating the cartridges from the belt and in troducing the cartridge into the chamber of the firearm, and wherein the belt members are of the type comprising a first clamp portion accommodating one cartridge and a second clamp portion joined to the first clamp portion and loosely encompassing the subsequent cartridge; said arrangement comprising: feed means for feeding the belt along a belt feed path through the firearm structure, said belt feed path running adjacent an ejector slot at which position the cartridges are removed from the belt and then out a belt ejector duct where the empty belt members are removed from the firearm, and belt member supporting means arranged in the belt feed path ahead of the ejector slot for supporting an empty belt member such that the empty first clamp portion of said empty belt member will not engage edges of said ejector slot when the clamp portion is passing adjacent said edges toward the ejector duct, said belt
  • a belt feeder arrangement for automatic firearms of the type which use an ammunition cartridge belt formed by a plurality of belt members interconnected to one another which carry the cartridges into communication with a breech section engaging in an ejector slot for separating the cartridges from the belt and introducing the cartridge into the chamber of the firearm, and wherein the belt members are of the type comprising a first clamp portion accommodating one cartridge and a second clamp portion joined to the first clamp portion and loosely encompassing the subsequent cartridge; said arrangement comprising: feed means for feeding the belt along a belt feed path through the firearm structure, said belt feed path running adjacent an ejector slot at which position the cartridges are removed from the belt and then out a belt ejector duct where the empty belt members are removed from the firearm, and belt member supporting means arranged in the belt feed path ahead of the ejector slot for supporting an empty belt member such that the empty first clamp portion of said empty belt member will not engage edges of said ejector slot when the clamp portion is passing adjacent said edges toward the ejector duct, wherein said belt
  • said belt member supporting means includes means engagable with a cartridge in a clamp portion immediately preceeding the ejector slot for preventing engaging of the belt member with edges of said ejector slot when the clamp portion immediately preceeding the ejector slot contains a cartridge.
  • a belt feeder arrangement for automatic firearms of the type which use an ammunition cartridge belt formed by a plurality of belt members interconnected to one another which carry the cartridges into communication with a breech section engaging in an ejector slot for separating the cartridges from the belt and introducing the cartridge into the chamber of the firearm, and wherein the belt members are of the type comprising a first clamp portion accommodating one cartridge and a second clamp portion joined to the first clamp portion and loosely encompassing the subsequent cartridge; said arrangement comprising: feed means for feeding the belt along a belt feed path through the firearm structure, said belt feed path running adjacent an ejector slot at which position the cartridges are removed from the belt and then out a belt ejector duct where the empty belt members are removed from the firearm, and belt member supporting means arranged in the belt feed path ahead of the ejector slot for supporting an empty belt member such that the empty first clamp portion of said empty belt member will not engage edges of said ejector slot when the clamp portion is passing adjacent said edges toward the ejector duct, wherein said belt
  • lever means includes two separate levers, each lever having a lug portion forming part of the lug means.
  • cam means include separate cam surfaces on each of the levers, said cam surfaces being formed differently for giving different pivotal motion to the respective levers.
  • cam means include separate cam surfaces on each of the levers, said cam surfaces being formed differently for giving different pivotal motion to the respective levers.
  • lever means comprise leaf springs fixed at one end with respect to the belt feed path.
  • lever means comprise leaf springs fixed at one end with respect to the belt feed path.
  • lever means comprise leaf springs fixed at one end with respect to the belt feed path.
  • said belt members are of the type with the first clamp portion formed as a double clamp with two spaced curved clamp members for engaging the cartridge and with the second clamp portion formed as a single clamp with one curved clamp member for loosely encompassing the adjacent cartridge, and wherein the lug means are arranged to contact a curved connecting part between said first and second change portions.
  • said belt members are of the type with the first clamp portion formed as a double clamp with two spaced curved clamp members for engaging the cartridge and with the second clamp portion formed as a single clamp with one curved clamp member for loosely encompassing the adjacent cartridge, and wherein the lug means are arranged to contact a curved connection part between said first and second change portions whereby the spacers can be adjusted to accommodate move ment of the cartridge belt with the: first clamp portion in the most forward position as well as movement of the cartridge belt with the second clamp portion in the most forward position.
  • feed means include a star feed. wheel for engaging the surface of said cartridges when the cartridges are in the vicinity of the ejector slot.
  • said feed means include a star feed. wheel for engaging the surface of said cartridges when the cartridges are in the vicinity of the ejector slot.
  • said belt member supporting means includes a resiliently biased lever means engagable with said empty belt member.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Specific Conveyance Elements (AREA)
  • Belt Conveyors (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
US00235542A 1971-03-19 1972-03-17 Belt feeder for automatic firearms Expired - Lifetime US3785242A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE2113319A DE2113319C3 (de) 1971-03-19 1971-03-19 Gurtzuführer für automatische Waffen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3785242A true US3785242A (en) 1974-01-15

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ID=5802082

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00235542A Expired - Lifetime US3785242A (en) 1971-03-19 1972-03-17 Belt feeder for automatic firearms

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3785242A (enExample)
CH (1) CH535418A (enExample)
DE (1) DE2113319C3 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2129396A5 (enExample)
IT (1) IT948315B (enExample)
SE (1) SE391804B (enExample)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4397216A (en) * 1981-02-02 1983-08-09 General Electric Company Feeder mechanism
US6702814B2 (en) * 1999-10-21 2004-03-09 Ebi, L.P. Clamp assembly for an external fixation system

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2648258A (en) * 1948-06-21 1953-08-11 Us Sec War Cartridge link and feedwheel for disintegrating belts

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2648258A (en) * 1948-06-21 1953-08-11 Us Sec War Cartridge link and feedwheel for disintegrating belts

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4397216A (en) * 1981-02-02 1983-08-09 General Electric Company Feeder mechanism
US6702814B2 (en) * 1999-10-21 2004-03-09 Ebi, L.P. Clamp assembly for an external fixation system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT948315B (it) 1973-05-30
FR2129396A5 (enExample) 1972-10-27
DE2113319B2 (de) 1975-04-17
DE2113319C3 (de) 1975-12-04
CH535418A (de) 1973-03-31
DE2113319A1 (de) 1972-09-21
SE391804B (sv) 1977-02-28

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