WO1991003698A1

WO1991003698A1 - Automatic fire arm

Info

Publication number: WO1991003698A1
Application number: PCT/EP1990/001374
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rainer Achterholt
Original assignee: Rainer Achterholt
Priority date: 1989-08-30
Filing date: 1990-08-20
Publication date: 1991-03-21
Also published as: DE3928735C1; CA2039714A1; EP0440768A1

Abstract

An automatic fire arm has a tube (12) rigidly mounted in a housing (10) which has a rotationally symmetrical recess (11) perpendicular to the axis of the tube. A disk-shaped cartridge chamber housing (20) containing at least one cartridge chamber (25) is rotatably mounted in the recess. The cartridge chamber can be brought continuously into a firing position (S) as well as into a loading position (L) by forced, intermittent, rotational movement in the same direction of the cartridge chamber housing (20) about its axis of rotation (21). To ensure simpler, gentler and faster introduction of the components (3 and 4) of a caseless munition, which can be handled separately, into the cartridge chamber (25), the latter is essentially T-shaped and has a first, radial bore (26) for receiving a projectile body (3) as well as a second bore (27) essentially perpendicular to the first for receiving a propellant charge body (4).

Description

Automatic firearm

Description:

The invention relates to an automatic firearm, in particular a handgun, such as a rifle, a pistol or a submachine gun. The firearm is designed to fire caseless ammunition.

More specifically, the invention relates to an automatic firearm, in particular a handgun, with a barrel which is held in a fixed manner in a gun housing, which has a rotationally symmetrical recess perpendicular to the barrel axis, in which a disk-shaped cartridge chamber housing is rotatably arranged, in which at least a cartridge chamber is formed which can be continuously brought into a firing position and into a loading position by means of forced, intermittent, rotational movement of the cartridge chamber housing about its axis of rotation, in which ammunition components can be introduced into the cartridge chamber.

An automatic handgun of this type is known from DE-PS 28 13 633. After a rotation through 180 °, the cartridge chamber housing of the known weapon is in the - -

Connection to a shot position again in a shot position. For this purpose, a single cartridge chamber is provided, which is formed symmetrically to a transverse center plane of the cartridge chamber housing; the longitudinal axis of the cartridge chamber is aligned with a diameter of the cartridge chamber housing, and the cartridge chamber housing axis of rotation intersects the core axis of the weapon barrel.

Furthermore, from the (officially kept secret) DE-PS 37 28 363 an automatic handgun of this type is known, the cylinder-shaped cartridge chamber housing of which has two cartridge chambers which are mutually centrally symmetrical with respect to the cartridge chamber-housing axis of rotation. In this case, the axis of rotation of the cartridge chamber housing is offset from the core axis of the weapon barrel.

In both cases the cartridge chamber is essentially formed by a cylindrical bore which has a first section for receiving a projectile body and a second section aligned therewith for receiving a propellant charge body. In the case of separate ammunition components, the loading of the cartridge chamber is comparatively complex, since devices for inserting a projectile body and a propellant charge body must be present on the weapon housing, which have to work one after the other in the same direction on the cartridge chamber taking up their loading position. This can in particular limit the advantages which can be achieved with a twist lock which can be driven in the same direction and intermittently if the weapon is to be operated with ammunition components which can be handled independently of one another.

Proceeding from this, the object of the present invention is to provide an automatic firearm for the aforementioned gate to provide a suitable manner, the cartridge chamber (s) of which is / can be loaded more easily, more gently and / or more quickly with ammunition components which can be handled independently of one another.

The ammunition components should preferably be insertable directly from an adapted magazine into the cartridge chamber (s).

Starting from an automatic firearm with the features specified above, the solution to this problem according to the invention is characterized in that the cartridge chamber is essentially T-shaped, with a first bore corresponding to the T-stem, which starts from the ^' disk circumference extends in a plane aligned with the tube axis and is intended for receiving a projectile body, and with a second bore corresponding to the T-beam, which is open to at least one pane end face and is intended for receiving a propellant charge body. This second bore can preferably be aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the cartridge chamber housing.

Because each cartridge chamber of the firearm according to the invention is essentially T-shaped, a projectile body and a propellant body separated therefrom can be introduced into this cartridge chamber from different directions essentially simultaneously. Typically, the projectile body is introduced in the radial direction into the first bore of this cartridge chamber, and the propellant charge body is introduced into the second bore of this cartridge chamber in an orthogonal, in particular axial, direction. By rotating the cartridge chamber housing, this cartridge chamber moves from the loading position into a firing position. The propellant charge is ignited in the firing position. Electrical ignition can preferably be performed. be seen. The gas development associated with the combustion of the propellant charge drives the projectile body out of the first bore and through the weapon barrel aligned with it. In the disk-shaped cartridge chamber housing, several cartridge chambers, for example four cartridge chambers, can easily be provided, so that either the cadence of the firearm can be increased and / or additional functions can be performed in the holding positions of the cartridge chamber housing, such as Cooling or cleaning of unused cartridge chambers.

The ammunition components can preferably be provided and brought up with an adapted magazine, which essentially consists of an annular body from which an annular flange projects axially, which has a smaller outer diameter than the annular body, so that one on the outer circumference of the magazine circumferential level is present. A number of projectile bodies can be accommodated in the radial flange in the annular flange. A number of propellant charge bodies can be accommodated in the axial orientation in the annular body. If, in a loading position, a section of the cartridge chamber housing with a cartridge chamber protrudes into the circumferential step on such a magazine, a projectile body can radially and essentially simultaneously from this magazine into the first bore of the cartridge chamber and a propellant charge body are introduced into the second bore of the cartridge chamber in an orthogonal, in particular axial, direction. A simple, gentle and quick transfer of the projectile body and the propellant body is possible directly and directly into a cartridge chamber of the firearm according to the invention.

Further advantageous refinements and developments of the firearm according to the invention result from the subclaims. Thus it is provided that the first bore of the cartridge chamber, which is intended for receiving the projectile body, is aligned with the weapon barrel in its firing position and has the same inner diameter as the weapon barrel. Control means known in the art for driving the cartridge chamber housing ensure that the cartridge chamber is stopped appropriately in order to ensure this aligned arrangement. The gas development associated with the combustion of the propellant charge drives the projectile body out of the first bore in the cartridge chamber and into the weapon barrel.

There are no particular restrictions on the selection of the projectile bodies. The caliber depends on the type and purpose of the firearm. For automatic handguns, for example, caliber 5.56 (223 Remington) can be provided.

The propellant charge bodies are designed for residue-free combustion. In the simplest case, it can be powder compacts, which are preferably provided with a protective cover made of paper or a plastic film. For the preferably provided electrical ignition of the propellant charge, it may be advantageous to provide a metallization on opposite end faces of the propellant charge body. It may also be expedient to connect short rod-shaped electrodes made of, for example, aluminum wire to this metalization, which point towards one another within the propellant charge in order to spatially fix an ignition spark and preferably to move it into the interior of the propellant charge body. For bullet bodies with the caliber 5.56, propellant charge bodies with a volume of approximately 1.8 to 2.4 cm ³ are preferably provided. The propellant charge bodies can have an angular, for example square or prismatic, cross section. Alternatively and preferably, the propellant charge bodies can be compact cylindrical bodies. - _

per be. For example, cylindrical propellant charge bodies with a diameter of approximately 12 mm and a length of approximately 15 to 18 mm have proven successful for the caliber 5.56. Instead of using prefabricated propellant charge bodies, it can also be provided in individual cases to introduce a liquid, pasty or powdered detonation material in measured portions into the propellant charge bore of the cartridge chamber from a storage vessel attached to the weapon.

The second or propellant charge bore of the cartridge chamber has a cross section which is adapted to the cross section of the propellant charge body. A cylindrical bore cross section is preferably provided; alternatively, this bore cross section could also be angular, for example quadratic or prismatic.

The diameter or the cross-sectional dimension of the second bore of the cartridge chamber is preferably significantly larger than the diameter of the first bore of the cartridge chamber and is, for example, twice or more than the diameter of the first bore. As a result, the different volumes of the projectile body and the propellant charge body are taken into account and the thickness of the cartridge chamber housing is kept as low as possible.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that every second bore leads completely through the disk-shaped cartridge chamber housing in the axial direction, ie is open to both opposite end faces of the cartridge chamber housing. The entire bore cross section can be used to hold a propellant body. Furthermore, the propellant charge body can be introduced into the second bore in one direction in the loading position and, if necessary, in another, ejector position in the be pushed out of this hole in the same direction, unless ignition is not intended or has not taken place. Furthermore, the thickness and thus the mass of the cartridge chamber housing is kept as low as possible. In the firing position, this second or propellant charge bore of the cartridge chamber housing is then closed on both sides by a wall section of the weapon housing.

At least two cartridge chambers are preferably formed in the cartridge chamber housing, so that a new shot position is reached again after a shot position after a 180 ° rotation of the cartridge chamber housing. In such a case, the two cartridge chambers can be arranged substantially along a diameter of the disk-shaped cartridge chamber housing. Alternatively and preferably, in such a case the two cartridge chambers are arranged centrally symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the cartridge chamber housing. In the latter case, the cartridge chamber housing can be made with smaller dimensions.

Alternatively, the cartridge chamber housing can have, for example, three or four cartridge chambers. A higher cadence can be achieved and / or in addition to the loading and firing position, further positions are available for performing other functions, for example cooling, cleaning and / or ejecting unused ammunition components. A cartridge chamber housing with four "cross-shaped" cartridge chambers has proven particularly useful and is preferably provided.

The propellant charge can be ignited in a conventional manner. In this case, an ignition insert is attached adjacent to an end face on the propellant charge body and is mechanically impacted in the firing position. bolts or the like can act. However, electrical ignition of the propellant charge body is preferably provided. In this case, an electrode is inserted in the two wall sections of the weapon housing adjacent to the two end faces of the propellant charge body in the firing position, electrically insulated. Applying sufficient voltage to these electrodes creates a spark that strikes through the body of the charge and ignites the charge. In the case of an approximately 12 mm long propellant charge, a current surge with a voltage of approximately 20,000 volts was sufficient for ignition. If required, the end faces of the propellant charge body can also be provided with a metallization and / or electrode sections can additionally be provided within the propellant charge body in order to reduce the necessary voltage and / or to control the spark formation even better.

As already mentioned, the carrying and provision of the ammunition components can preferably be carried out with the aid of a magazine which essentially consists of an annular body from which an annular flange projects axially, which has a smaller outer diameter than the annular body, so that on the outer circumference of the Magazine has a revolving level. The projectile bodies are located in radially aligned bores within the annular flange. The propellant charge bodies are located in axially aligned bores within the annular body. In such a case, an annular groove can preferably be left in the weapon housing, into which the annular flange of the magazine can be inserted in such a way that a portion of the disk-shaped cartridge chamber housing projects into the circumferential step on the magazine.

In the loading position of a cartridge chamber, at least one radial bore on the magazine is aligned with the first or projectile body-bore this cartridge chamber. A projectile body ejector is articulated on the weapon housing within the ring flange and can push the projectile body located in this radial bore of the magazine into this first bore of the cartridge chamber.

Furthermore, in the loading position of a cartridge chamber, at least one axial bore on the magazine is aligned with the second or charge body bore of this cartridge chamber. A charge body ejector is articulated to the weapon housing and can push the charge body located in this axial bore of the magazine into this second bore of the cartridge chamber. This propellant charge body ejector can expediently be attached to a weapon housing cover, which can be opened relative to the rest of the weapon housing in order to insert the magazine. After the cover has been closed again, the propellant body ejector can be inserted into the axial bore on the magazine under the control of control disks or the like, eject a propellant body located therein and insert it into the second bore of the cartridge chamber which is flush therewith.

The adjustment and control of the cartridge chamber housing, the projectile body ejector and the propellant body ejector can be carried out with the aid of conventional control devices. These control devices can also ensure the gradual rotation of the magazine. Alternatively, the magazine can be equipped with a pre-tensioned spiral spring which, after the magazine has been inserted into the weapon housing, causes the magazine to rotate relative to the weapon housing. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings. The latter show:

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a detail from the weapon housing of a firearm with a disk-shaped, rotatably mounted cartridge chamber housing;

FIG. 2 shows the cartridge chamber housing according to FIG. 1 on the basis of an oblique view;

3 shows a plan view of the weapon housing according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an illustration - without a cartridge chamber housing - of a section along the section line V-V from FIG. 3;

Figure 5 is an illustration of a section along the section line V-V of Fig. 3;

FIG. 6 is an oblique view of a magazine for supplying the firearm according to FIG. 1 with ammunition components;

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view through the weapon housing with the magazine attached along the section line V-V from FIG. 3; and

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view through the weapon housing with an attached, alternative magazine along the section line VIII-VIII from FIG. 3. The basic structure of an automatic firearm with a cartridge chamber housing which can be rotated in the same direction and intermittently, of the type considered here, is known in the art. In a weapon housing, a disk-shaped cartridge chamber housing is rotatably arranged in a rotationally symmetrical recess. The controlled drive of the disk-shaped cartridge chamber housing can take place via a control disk, which in turn is driven by a gas pressure drive or an externally driven motor. Furthermore, a gun barrel and possibly a firing pin with a hammer are attached to the gun housing. With regard to further details, reference is made, for example, to the previously known documents DE-AS 24 01 543 and DE-PS 28 13 633.

In the weapon housing 10, which is only partially shown in the drawings, there is a rotationally symmetrical recess 11 which is intended to receive a cartridge chamber housing 20 which is rotatable in the same direction and intermittently about its axis of rotation 21. A weapon barrel 12 is fixedly attached to the weapon housing 10 and opens at a peripheral portion of the recess 11.

The cartridge chamber housing 20 has the shape of a disk and is delimited by the disk circumference 22 and the two disk end faces 23 and 24. The disc dimensions are adapted to the dimensions of the recess 11, so that the cartridge chamber housing 20 can be rotated in a controlled manner within the recess 11.

In the given example, four cartridge chambers 25 are formed within the cartridge chamber housing. Each cartridge chamber 25 is essentially T-shaped, with a first bore 26 corresponding to the T stem, which starts from the disk periphery 22 and is in a axis of the gun barrels 12 aligned level extends. This first or projectile body bore 26 is used to receive a projectile body 3. This first or projectile body bore 26 can be surrounded by a eyelet 28 which ensures the guidance of the projectile body 3 and the sealing of the projectile body bore 26 improved compared to the gun barrel 12. Furthermore, there is a second bore 27 corresponding to the T-beam, which is open towards at least one disk end face 23, 24 and is intended for receiving a propellant charge body 4. This second bore 27 is expediently aligned essentially parallel to the axis of rotation 21 of the cartridge chamber housing 20. This second bore 27 is preferably open to both disk end faces 23 and 24 of the cartridge chamber housing 20. Each cartridge chamber 25 can assume a firing position indicated by the arrow S adjacent to the inner muzzle end of the weapon barrel 12 and a loading position remote therefrom, which is indicated by the arrow L.

Adjacent to this loading position L, an annular groove 13 is cut out on the weapon housing 10, in the center of which there is a base 14 to which a projectile body ejector 15 is articulated. Furthermore, one or more profiled recesses can be left out on this base 14. Furthermore, a propellant body ejector 17 is articulated on the weapon housing 10 in a suitable but not shown manner.

The ammunition components can be conveniently carried and provided with the aid of a magazine 1, as is shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. This magazine 1 includes an annular body 30 and an axially protruding ring flange 40, which has a smaller outer diameter than the annular body 30. So that points Magazine 1 on its outer circumference has a circumferential step which is delimited by the outer circumferential wall of the annular flange 20 and by an end face of the annular body 30.

In the annular body 30, adjacent to its circumference at regular intervals, axially aligned bores 35 are recessed, which are intended for receiving propellant charge bodies 4. In the annular flange 40, in a common plane and at regular intervals from one another, radially aligned bores 45 are recessed, which are intended for receiving projectile bodies 3. In the annular space delimited by the ring-shaped body 30, a tension spring 8 can be accommodated, which is fixed with one spring end to the magazine 1 and with the other spring end to a holder 37, which in turn can be locked on the magazine 1.

This magazine 1 can be inserted with its ring flange 40 into the ring groove 13 on the weapon housing 10. A / section of the cartridge chamber housing 20 then projects into the circumferential step on the outer circumference of the magazine 1. Such dimensions and such an arrangement are provided that * in a loading position L of magazine 1 and cartridge chamber 25, a radial bore 45 on the ring flange 40 is aligned with the first or projectile body bore 26 of the cartridge chamber 25. Furthermore, in this loading position L, an axial bore 35 on the annular body 30 of the magazine 1 is aligned with a second or propellant body bore 27 of the cartridge chamber 25. In this arrangement, a projectile body 3 can be removed from the magazine with the aid of the projectile body ejector 15 zin 1 pushed out and inserted into the projectile body bore 26 of the cartridge chamber 25. In an analogous manner, a propellant body 4 can be pushed out of the magazine 1 and with the aid of the propellant body ejector 17 are inserted into the propellant body bore 27 of the cartridge chamber 25.

Visible is an immediate and direct transfer of the ammunition components from the magazine 1 into the Patro ^¬ nenkammer 25 possible. In this case, the projectile bodies 3 are displaced in a radial plane and the propellant charge bodies 4 are displaced in an orthogonal, in particular axial, direction.

The cartridge chamber 25, which in this way is equipped with ammunition components 3 and 4, then arrives in a firing position S by rotating the cartridge chamber housing 20 about its axis of rotation 21. In the selected example, an electrical ignition of the propellant charge body 4 is provided. For this purpose, electrodes 18, to which electrical voltage can be applied, are inserted in weapon housing sections adjacent to the two end faces of the propellant charge body 4, which assumes its firing position. The ignition spark which then forms between the electrodes 18 ignites the propellant charge body 4.

In addition to its loading position L and its firing position S, a given cartridge chamber 25 can optionally take on further positions, for example a position K for cooling and / or cleaning a cartridge chamber 25 that is currently being used A non-ignited propellant charge body is pushed out of the second bore 27 of the cartridge chamber 25. Furthermore, an additional ejector position A can optionally be provided, in which the projectile body associated with a propellant body 4 that has not ignited can be removed from the first bore 26 of the cartridge chamber 25; such Removal can be done pneumatically, for example.

As already mentioned, the controlled drive of the cartridge chamber housing 20 can take place - in a manner known per se - via a control disk, not shown, which in turn is driven by a gas pressure drive or an externally geared motor. Such a control disk can also provide the adapted gradual rotation of the magazine 1. Alternatively, each magazine 1 can have its own rotary drive, which ensures that the magazine 1 rotates with respect to the weapon housing 10. For example, a spiral spring 8 held on the magazine 1 under prestress can be provided for this purpose.

For example, one end section of this spiral spring 8 is supported on the annular body 30 and the other end section thereof is supported on a holder 16, which is only indicated schematically and can be locked on the magazine 1. When the magazine 1 is in contact with the weapon housing 10 of the firearm, the holder 16 is supported on the weapon housing 10 and the locking of the holder 16 relative to the magazine 1 is released.

For example, this holder can be a round plate, on the top of which the spiral spring 8 rests. Two bolts protrude from the underside of the plate and slidably engage in two bores which are recessed on the annular flange 40 adjacent to its inner circumference. Furthermore, a (or more) rod-shaped profile protrudes from the underside of the plate and, when the magazine 1 is attached to a weapon housing 10, enters a suitable recess on the base 14 of the weapon housing 10. When the magazine 1 is pressed further onto the weapon housing 10, the bolts are then led out of their bores in the magazine 1 (cf. FIG. 8). - -

The pre-tensioned coil spring 8 is then able to rotate the magazine 1 with respect to the weapon housing 10. Possibly. it can additionally be provided that the same spiral spring 8 or an additional spiral spring (not shown) can also set the intermittently rotatable cartridge chamber housing 20 of the firearm in rotation.

Claims

Claims:

1. Automatic firearm, in particular handgun, with a barrel which is held in a fixed manner in a gun housing, which has a rotationally symmetrical recess perpendicular to the barrel axis, in which a disk-shaped cartridge chamber housing is rotatably arranged, in which at least one Cartridge chamber is formed which can be continuously brought into a firing position and a loading position by forced, intermittent, rotational movement of the cartridge chamber housing about its axis of rotation, in which ammunition components can be introduced into the cartridge chamber, characterized in that the cartridge chamber (25) is essentially T-shaped, with a first bore (26) corresponding to the T-stem, which extends from the disc periphery (22), extends in a plane aligned with the tube axis and for receiving a projectile body (3) is determined, as well as with a second bore corresponding to the T-beam (27), which is open towards at least one pane end face (23, 24) and is intended for receiving a propellant charge body (4).

2. Firearm according to claim 1, characterized in that in the loading position (L) of a cartridge chamber (25) a projectile body (3) in the radial direction in the first hole (26) of this cartridge chamber (25) can be inserted and substantially simultaneously a propellant charge body (4) can be inserted into the second bore (27) of this cartridge chamber (25) in an orthogonal, in particular axial, direction.

3. Firearm according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a projectile body (3) and a propellant charge body (4) directly and directly from a weapon housing-side mounted magazine (1) in the first bore (26) or can be introduced into the second bore (27) of the cartridge chamber (25).

4. Firearm according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first bore (26) in the firing position (S) is aligned with the weapon barrel (12) and has the same inner diameter as the weapon barrel (12).

5. Firearm according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second bore (27) is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation (21) of the cartridge chamber housing (20).

6. Firearm according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second bore (27) has a circular cross section.

7. Firearm according to claim 6, characterized in that the diameter of the second bore (27) is larger than the diameter of the first bore (26).

8. Firearm according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second bore (27) passes completely through the disc-shaped cartridge chamber housing (20) and is open to both disc end faces (23, 24).

9. Firearm according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that two cartridge chambers (25) are formed in the cartridge chamber housing (20).

10. Firearm according to claim 9, characterized in that the two cartridge chambers (25) are arranged centrally symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation (21) of the cartridge chamber housing (20).

11. Firearm according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that four cartridge chambers (25) are formed in the cartridge chamber housing (20), which are arranged essentially "crosswise".

12. Firearm according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that in the firing position (S) of a cartridge chamber (25) whose second bore (27) is closed by opposite wall sections of the weapon housing (10); and - Z ₀ _-

An electrode (18) is inserted into each of these wall sections, electrically insulated, in order to electrically ignite the propellant charge body (4) located in the second bore (27) by applying an electrical voltage to the opposite electrodes (18).

13. Firearm according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the magazine (1) is essentially an annular body (30) from which axially projects an annular flange (40) which has a smaller outer diameter than the annular body ( 30), .so that a circumferential step is present on the outer circumference of the magazine (1).

14. Firearm according to claim 13, characterized in that an annular groove (13) is recessed in the firearm housing (10) of the firearm, in which the annular flange (40) of the magazine (1) can be used in such a way that a portion of the disc-shaped Cartridge chamber housing (20) protrudes into the circumferential step on the outer circumference of the magazine (1).

15. Firearm according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that in the annular flange (40) of the magazine (1) a number of radial bores (45) are recessed, which are able to accommodate at least one projectile body (3); in the loading position (L) of a cartridge chamber (25) at least one radial bore (45) on the magazine (1) is aligned with the first bore (26) of this cartridge chamber (25); and on the weapon housing (10) there is a projectile body ejector (15) which has the radial bore in this (45) of the magazine (1) located projectile body (3) can slide out of this radial bore (45) and into the first bore (26) of the cartridge chamber (25).

16. Firearm according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that in the annular body (30) of the magazine (1) a number of axial bores (35) are recessed, which are able to accommodate at least one propellant body (4); in the loading position (L) of a cartridge chamber (25), at least one axial bore (35) on the magazine (1) is aligned with the second bore (27) of this cartridge chamber (25); and on the weapon housing (10) there is a propellant body ejector (17) which takes the propellant body (4) located in this axial bore (35) of the magazine (1) out of this axial bore (35) and into it is able to push in the second bore (27) of the cartridge chamber (25).