US794852A

US794852A - Rapid-fire gun.

Info

Publication number: US794852A
Application number: US18296703A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles M Clarke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1903-11-28
Filing date: 1903-11-28
Publication date: 1905-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 1922-07-18

Description

PATENTBD JULY 18, 190s.

e allunga-SHEET 1,

.27e vefei.

u \Hf/ f N aneszseszn P PBNTBD JULY 18, 1905.

G. M. CLARKE.

Invezzw:

RAFID FIRE GUN.

. um. Nm. wn. n@ hn. hh.

LPPL'LUATIGN 11.21) Nov. 28.1903. Y

PATENTED JULY 18, 1905.

' C. N. GLARKE. RPIB FIRE GUN. Arrmurnon rxLmJ m1251503.

6 SHEETS-81135133.

i.. @Mw

PATENTBD JULY 1B, 1905.

o. M. CLARKE. RAPID Hm: GUN. APPLITION P1 LED NOV. 28,1903.

E SHBETSHSH EET 4,

Wzzsses.-

PATENTE!) JLY 1B, WD5.

o. M. ULABKE. RAPID HRB GUN.

V1, VII Vil, and VIII Vlli of Fig.

packing-rings.

UNTTTLD STnTne Patented July 18, 1905.

FIAPlD-FiFiE GUN.

SPEGIFIUKTION forming part of Letters Patent No. 794,852, dated July 18, 1905.

Application liletl November 28,1903. Serial No. 182,067. l

To all whom. it muy conc/ern.:

.Bc it known that ,V (Jnnnmcs M. Ummm. a

. citizen ol' the United States, residing et Pitteis a similar view showing the actuator in its forward position. a cartridge having been fired and also projected from the beit into the revolving chamhered breech. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are cross-sections on the lines V V, Vl Fig'. 9 isan enlarged sectional detail view showing a packing device inserted` boing the revolving chnmbered breech and the barrel. Fig. 10 is a partial end View of the rcvoivng' chambercd breech on the line X X of Fig. 9, showing the pecking-rings. Fig. 11 is an isometric-detail View of one of. the spring Fig. 12 is a plan view ol" the actuator, detached, in engagement with the revolving chamber-cd breech and belt-fend slide. Fig. 13 is n longitudinal sectional dcteil vien' on 'the .diagonal line Xlll XIII of Fig. "i, showing the e|rmty-sheil extractor' in action. Fig. 14 isasimilar view als-right ren- ,lci to Fig. 13. showing Ihe extractor :in having engaged the flange of the Shell and about to withdraw it, when the extractor-harris inimcdintcly released hnclrwardly by the continned forward travel of the actuator. Fig. 15 is a similar sectional view also nt right angies to Fig. I3. showing thc extrac'towbnr as having heen thrown haci: to the iimit of itetrarel and the actuator having followed, the springlatch having again connected these parte, so that the bnr will be again carried forward by the actuator. Fig. 16 is a similar detail View showing; the extractorbar released from connevtion with the nctnetor and just. about to.

more imckwardly under the imnelling povor tienlarly to the mechanism for removing the cartridges ,f rom the belt into the revolving breech, the revolving breech itself and means for intermittently actuating it, the peeking devices, the iringqain, the extractor, and the actuator hy which themcchanisln is operated at each discharge. I

Referring to the drawings, 2 is the barrel,

secured at its inner end in the case 3, extend.

ing {erwin-diy through the interior' of waterjackct et and projecting outwardly throdghthe end thereof. A gcsmortcommunicctos with the here of the barrel and with a piston-chamber, whereby at each discharge a portion of the ges will propel the piston 'lend actuator 8 haeirwnrdly. .The actuator is-hclcl hack or reionscd hy trigger 9 engaging lug 10 and is innieilcd forwardly by a power-spring 11. The hclt 12 is fed thron h tho gun by a paw] '13, mounted in fecd-slii e I4, actuated transversely h v cam portieri i5 of the actuator, the belt being retained hy iower Ypewl I6.

The foregoing elements of the gun do not 7m' c form any part of my present invention and ere similar in their construction and Inode of operation to silniar parte forming part of the snhjcct-matter of Letters Patent of the United Steben of V. l. Dcinight, No.79,883. lotntably mounted in the caso on pin 17 immediately back of the barrel is the revolving breech 18, provided with a series of cartridgechnmliers 19, one of which chambers is adapted et nach stationery position of the breech to aiinc with the centrally-disposed cartridge in the belt above and another at the saaie time with the barrel below. The breech 18 is intcrmitben tly rotated one space-. c. the distance between adjacent chain bcrsby a.

IOC

pnwl 20,n1ountnd in a ring or carrier 21, provided with a roller o'r abutment 22 in engagement with cam-groove .33 of the actuator, the pawl engagingieeth .34 of the breech successively. The cartridges are inserted in the uppermost chamber of the revolving breech at each operation by a thrust-pin 25, reci procatingly mounted in theback portion of the actuator, terminating in a cylindrical forwar to push it through the belt inlo the chamber, the cartridge-[lange being of the same iunlel-er as the bodgr of the lund known as rimless.

The shank of the thrust-pin is preferably square or splincd, and it is provided at its bach end 'with a button or head 27, adapted to como on backward travel into limiting contact with the inner face of grip-block 28 or other suitable abutting face. ',lhc thrust-pin 25 is provided with a spring-latch 29, by which it is carried forward bythe actuator until raised out o'f engagement by a wedge or movable bearing 30 upon coming into contact with cumfnce. 3l at about four-lifths of the forward stroke. Any other suitable means may be employed for disconnecting the thrust-pin and actuator at the proper time. A aprirner 32 is inserted between the back end of the actuator and head 27,- hy which the thrust-pin is quickbr thrown back upon release of latch 29 and immedintcly after thc cartridge has been thrust out of the belt forwardly into the breechchamber, thus preventing interference with the pin upon rotation of tlie breech by the 'immediate backward travel of the actuator vafter discharge. By this construction the. thrust-pin is thrown hack by spring 32 before the actuator commences its buck travel, and when it travels hack it will compress spring 32 and canse latch 29 to become reloclied, ready for the next forward engagement. The

firing-pin 33 is arranged in alinement with the barrel and lowermost cartridge-chamber, und consequently with the rimer of thecartrirlgc therein. It is norma Lv held retracted by n. spring 34, bearing against head 3:5, its back- ,wnrd movement being limited by o. pin 36, cx-

tcndi'ng into slot 37. The cartridge is lircd by adownward extension 38 of the actuator striking the firing-pin head at the limit of its forward travel. The empty cartridge-shell is extracted from the chamberA at the ncxtposition of rotation-beyond the firing position b5 means of u. reciprocating extractor-bar 39, likewise mount-ed in the back portion of the actuator to one side of its center to conform to theposition of the shell, andis provided at its forward end with aspring-controlled linger 4l), adapted to engage the Hang'c of the shell and to withdraw it from the chamber. The

'shank of the extractor-bar is also preferably squareor splincd, and it is provided at' 'lbs back end with a button or bead 41, adapted to come into limiting contact with thc inncr face of grip-block 28 or other suitable abutment. with a pivotedsp1'ing;latcli42, having a bevelface 43, by which the extractor-bar is carried forward by the actuator until its forward end comes into contact with the shell, when the bevel-lace 43 of the latch will rido up on the corresponding bevel cam-face 44 of the actuator when the extractor-bar and shell will tip .26 adapted to engage the cartridge and` be ulclrly thrown back by means of aspring 45, inserted between the baci: end of the actuator and a head or button 41 of the extractor-piu. Bythis construction the extractorbar is thrown back before the actuator has `completed its forward travel in the saine manner ns the thrust-bar, thus withdrawing the iernpty shell before the revolving breech is rotated Vby back action of the actuator and preventing interference.

A disengagiugor cjc'cting bar -46 is slidingly mounted in a slideway 47 in one side of thev extractor-bar and of slightly greater length thantho bnr, so that upon first coming 'into'contuct with the inner fwce of .the gri pblock 28 the forward end of the rejecting-bar will strike tho side of the .head of thesholl and-throw it around and away from engagement, as shown in Fig. ,13.

For the purpose of insuring thc complete insertion of the cartridges in the chamber of the breech I have provided u. spiral cam-face 48, corresponding to the path of travel of the cartridge and which will finally force the cartridge home before or upon reaching the firing position should the impetus of thrustba 26.nt be sucicnt to send it l1oxnc.`

For tbe-purpose of preventing unnecessary movement of the rotating breech and of insui-ing its accurate stoppage at pro er position 1 have provided a'spring 49, a apted to engagcdepressons or notches 50 in the periphery of th breecli corresponding in position to the cartridge-chambers. The actuator is provided with the usual pull-bar 51, ex.- tending` out to ne side, by which thc gun may be set by hand.'

For the purpose of packing or sealing the gases of explosion between the revolving reecli 18 and the barrel 2, if necessary, I, prefer to provide packing device of am, suitable character and have shown' in Figs. 9, 10, and l1 a spring-washer 52, having rcsilient portions 53, either integral or attached( adapted to be seated in a corresponding' recess 54 in the front face of the breech, surrounding thc exit-terminal of cach cartridgechamber. 1f preferred, thc packing may be inserted in the barrel or in both breech and barrel` and by thus making n. close contacting lit it will be secn thatn. tight seal will always be y provided to compensato for wear, thus preventing leakage o A gas at the time of explosion in the caso o each chamber.4 Other 'effective means may be substituted for the same purpose, if desired.

Theextractor-har is provided iVhile the primary function of Springs 32 und 45 is to throw thc thruslrhnr und cxtrnctor buck quickly before the belt und rerolrin;r breech commence to move, so us to prevent interference, they will :also assist the nlninepring in in'lpelling the actuator forwnrdly.

In constructing'thc gun the n'nteriockct muy be entirelif dispensed with, and it will he understood that the nlunher of chambers in the revolving breech only he varied as dc- Sired--/f. e., either more or less thun eight, ns shown, und that vnrious other changes or modifications muy h'e runde hy the skilled mechanic within thc scope of the clniins.

'lhc operation is es follows: A heit of ocrtriflg'cs is introduced across the gun :unl cngnifcd h the fccding-pnwl. .l`hc actuator is withdrawn by hund und nmniiuilutoil until a. snllicicnt number of cartridges have been thrust into the revolving breech, which is per-- tinllv refuted et euch operation, so es to bring tho lirst mtrtridgc around to the lowerrnost position. the trigger, thrusting nnother cartridge fr ihm the holt into the upper lwceclrchmnhcr, tiring the lowermostcartridge, and n pzu'tof the ger crateri gus, acting through thc-by{ m$s port, will actuele the piston nud actuator, throwing it hack. 1n the back travel the breech ie revolved one opaco, the heit is fed forward, bringing the next cartridge into alinerncut with the thruslfhnr nhdclutuiber, and the Shoil of the exploded cartridge is extracted and thro wu outwardly from the gun. if the trigger .hns been released, the actuator will heeome locked h v it, ready for another operotion, or if the trigger is continuously depressed the actuator will immediately be thrown forward by the power-spring und firing will continue until the anununition of the holt is exhausted.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. ln u' rapid-lire gun, the combination of a revolving chumbercd breech, e cartridge-carrying belt, meu-ns for rotating the breech and feeding the belt, und means for thrusting the cartridges into the breech, substantially as sot forth.

2. In ii rapid-lire gun, the combination of u revolvixn,r clunnhcrcd breech. n cartridge-carrying bolt, menus: for rotating the breech and feeding the hell., und ineens for thrusting the cartridges into thc breech and firing them therein, Substantially as set forth.

'3. In u. rn pid-lire gun, the combination of o. revolving chmnhercd breech, a cnrtridgccnrvying: belt, menus for rotating the breech and Feeding the heit, menus for thrusting the curtridges into the lneoeh, and firing thorn there in, rnd menus for extrftctingthe empty shells therefrom, sinhstnntinlly :is set forth.

L in n rapid-lire gun` thc combination of n. revolving chnluberccl brocoli, o. barrel, a car- 'lhc actuator is then released h v' tridgeonrying holt, menus for rouling the breech end feeding the hell., und menne for tlu'ustingthe'eortridges into the. hrcoch, liriupV them therein wher. in nlineinentwil-h the hnrrcl, nml for extracting the empty shells, substontinlhr es set forth.

. 5. le n rapid-lire' gun, the cornhinuticu oi u. mein cose, a. revolving chamber-ed breech, e borrel, signs-portanoinunicztting with the hurrel, a curtx'idg'e-cmrying bel t, :m actuator 'nrovided `with n piston adapted to he operated on h v the ,ons passino through the gas-port, and provided with means for rotating the breech und feeding the belt; und n thrustfhur, a iring-pin and un extractor uctuntcd hy the uctuutor, with ineens for impelling the actuetor forwardly, substantially als set forth.

C. In ampid-lireg'un, the combination of n mitin case, a. revolving' chmubored breech, a barrel, n gus-port connnun icatiug with the bnrrel, n. cartridge-carrying holt, on actuator provided with n. piston adapted to he operated on by the grua passing through the gus-port, and provided with ineens for rotating the breech und feeding; the belt; and n thrust-har, o. liring-pin and an extractor actuated by the 8.otuntor, with moans for impelling the actuator forwardly, und u releasing-wig er adopted to engage the uctuanior` substantial yas set forth.

7. In a rapid-lire gun, en actuator provided with a thrust-har, and means for discngagng the thrust-bnr und 'retreating it independent of the backward movement of the actuator, substantially as sot forth.

8. In a rapid-fi re gen, an actuator provided with un extractor, and means for disengnging the extractor :rnd retrccting it independent of the backward movement of the' actuator, substantially as set forth.

9. 1n n rapid-fire gun, an actuator provided n105 with en extractor :md cjecting-bcr, and means for disengaging the extractor and retrncting it independent of the backward movement 0.- the actuator, substantially as set forth.

l0. In a rapid-fire gun, the combination with an actuator, of a thrust-bar provided with a. latch, a com for dsenguging the hitch before the actuator has mede its full forward travel` und a. spring for retracting the thrust-bar, sub- .strlntinlly as set forth.

11. In u rapidlire gun, the combination with nu actuator, of nu extractor' provided with o. latch, n com for discltgngiinp,F the latch before the actuator has made its full forward ti'nvel, and n. s )ring for rctracting the cxtrctor, substantially as set forth.

12. lnurepifl-liregun, thecoinhinntion with i nn ctuntor, of on extractor provided with on ejecting-hnr, and a hitch, r. com for d isongagiug the latch before' the nctuntorhaslnedeilc', full forward travel, und a spring for rel-moting the extracten', substantially as set forth.

13. [nnrnpirhregum thecomhinnlicn with :1 barrel, :nid n revolving cluunhercd breech, of resilient means for packing the meeting ex tremites of the chambers and barrel, substantially as selforth.

LL. 'Inurnpid-iregnn, thecombiimhon wibh u hurl-el, of n, revolving chnrubered breech provided with reslieng, packing-bearings insex-ted in the face of the breech, substantially :1s Set forth.

15. 1n n rapid-liregun, t,1|eco'n\hin ation with n lim-rel, of a revolving chumbered breech provided with reilient packing-washers in- IO serted in suitable cavities around the terminals of the chambers, substantially as seL forth.

1n testimony whereof lullx my signature in presence of bwq witnesses.

CHARLES M. CLARKE. Witnesses J. F. MCKENNA,

E. V. MAClCicNzuc.