Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
" 2~39711 ~L :
Automatic Fire Arm
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Description ~
1 0
The present invention refers to an automatic fire arm,
in particular to a hand fire arm, such as a gun, a
pistol or a submachine gun. The fire arm is intended
for shooting caseless ammunition.
More in detail, the present invention refers to an auto-
matic fire arm, in particular a hand fire arm, comprising
a barrel rigidly mounted in a housing having a rota-
tionally symmetrical recess, which extends perpendicular
to the axis of the barrel and which has rotatably ar-
ranged therein a disk-shaped cartridge chamber housing
containing at least one cartridge chamber, which can be
brought continuously into a firing position as well as
into a loading position by forced, intermittent, rota-
tional movement in the same direction of the cartridge
chamber housing about its axis of rotation, ammunition
elements being adapted to be introduced in said cartridge
chamber in said loading position.
~0
An automatic hand fire arm of this type is known from
German-pat. 28 13 633. After an 180 rotation taking
place subsequent to a firing position/ the cartridge
chamber housing of the known weapon is again in a firing `~
positionO For this purpose, a single cartridge chamber
is provided, which is constructed symmetrically ~ith
respect to a transverse centre plane of the cartridge
chamber housing; the longitudinal axis of the cartridge
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1 chamber is in alignment with a diameter of the cartridge
chamber housing, and the axis of rotation of the car-
tridge chamber housing intersects the axis of the bore
of the barrel.
Furthermore, German-pat. 37 28 363 (officially held
secret) disclosesan automatic hand fire arm of this
type whose cylindrical cartridge chamber housing in-
cludes two cartridge chambers, which are arranged such
that they are mutually central-symmetrical with respect
to the axis of rotation of -the cartridge chamber housing.
In this case, the axis of rotation of the cartridge cham-
ber housing is arranged in displaced relationship with
the axis of the bore of the barrel.
In both cases, the cartridge chamber is essentially
defined by a cylindrical bore comprising a first sec-
tion for receiving therein a projectile body and a
second section, which isin alignment with the first one
and which serves to receive therein a propellant charge
body. In the case of separate ammunition elements, the
charging of the cartridge chamber is comparatively com-
plicated, since the housing must have provided thereon
means used for introducing a projectile body and a pro-
-~ 25 pellant charge body and working successively in the
same direction towards the cartridge chamber which
occupies its loading position. This may restrict the
advantages, which can be achieved by means of a rotary breech
mechanism adapted to be driven intermittently and in
the same direction, especially in cases in which the
weapon is to be operated with ammunition elements which
can be handled separately.
Taking this a~ a basis, the task of the present inven-
tion is to be seen in ~he provision of an automatic fire
arm of the kind mentioned hereinbefore whose
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1 cartridge chamber(s) can be charged more simply, more
gently and/or more rapidly with ammunition elements
which can be handled separately.
Preferably, the ammunition elements should be adapted to
be introduced directly from an appropriat:e magazine into
the cartridge chamber(s).
Taking as a basis an automatic fire arm having the features
referred to hereinbefore, -the solution provided for this
task in accordance with the present invention is charac-
terized by the features that ~he cartridge chamber has an
essentially T-shaped configuration comprising a first bore,
which corresponds to the trunk of the T and which extends
from the disk periphery9 said first bore extending in a
plane which is in alignment with the axis of the barrel
and serving to receive therein a projectile body, as well
as a second bore, which corresponds to the crossbar of
the T and which is open towards at least one of the disk
faces,said second bore serving to receive therein a pro-
pellant charge body. Said second bore can preferably be
oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the car-
tridge chamber housing.
~x ~5 In view ofthe fact that each cartridge chamber of the
fire arm according to the present invention has an es-
sentially T-shaped configuration, a projectile body and
a propellant charge body, which is separate from said
projectile body, can be introduced in ~he cartridge
chamber in question essentially simultaneously from dif
ferent directions. The projectile body will typically be
introduced radially into the first bore of this car-
tridge chamber, and the propellant charge body will be
introduced into the second bore of this cartridge cham-
ber in a direction orthogonal thereto, in particular in
an axial direction. By rotating the cartridge chamber
housing, said cartridge chamber will be moved from the
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2V397~
1 loading position to a firing position. In the firing posi-
tion, the propellant charge body is ignited. Preferably,
electric ignition can be provided. The development of gas
resulting from the burning of the propellant charge will
drive the projectile body out of the first bore and through
the barrel which is in alignmen~ with said bore. The disk-
shaped cartridge chamber housing can easily have provided
therein several cartridge chambers, e.g. four cartridge
chambers, so that it is possible to either increase the
cadence of the fire arm and/or to carry out additional
functions in the stop positions of the cartridge chamber
-~ housing, such as cooling or cleaning of cartridge chambers
which are not used.
The provision and the supply of the ammunition elements
can preferably be effected by an appropriate magazine
consisting essentially of an annular body from which an
annular flange projects in the axial direction, said
flange having a smaller external diameter than said annular
body so that a circumferentially extending step is provided
on the outer circumference of the magazine. The annular
flange can have inserted therein a plurality of radially
oriented projectile bodies. The annular body can have
inserted therein a plurality of axially oriented propel-
lant charge bodies. If a section of the cartridge chamberhousing including a cartridge chamber projects into the
circumferentially extending step on such a magazine in a
loading position, it will be possible to introduce directly -
and essentially simultaneously a projectile body from said
magazine into the first bore of the cartridge chamber in
the radial direction and a propellant charge body from
said magazine into the second bore of the cartridge cham-
ber in a direction orthogonal thereto, in particular in
an axial direction. A simple, gentle and fast transfer of
the projectile bodies and of the propellant charge bodies
into a cartridge chamber of the fire arm according to the
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1 invention can be effected immediately and directly.
Additional advantageous embodiments and further develop-
ments of the fire arm according to the present invention
are disclosed by the subclaims.
One of the features provided is that the first bore of
the cartridge chamber, which serves to receive therein
the projectile body, is in alignment with the barrel in
the firing position of said cartridge chamber and has
the same interior diameter as said barrel~ Control means
used for the drive of the cartridge chamber housing and
known to those skilled in the art take care that the car-
tridge chamber housing stops at the appropriate point for
guaranteeing this aligned mode of arrangement. The develop-
ment of gas resulting from the burning of the propellant
charge will drive the projectile body out of the first
bore of the cartridge chamber and into the barrel.
As far as the selection of the projectile bodies is con-
cerned, special limitations do not exist. The calibre
depends on the type of fire arm and on its intended use.
For automa~ic hand fire arms a 5.56 calibre (223 Remington)
can be used, for e~ample.
The propellant charge bodies are constructed such that ~'
residue-free burning takes place. In the simplest case,
these propellant charge bodies can be bodies of compressed
powder, which are preferably provided with a protective cover
consisting of paper or of a plastic foil. For the preferably
provided electric ignition of the propellant charge, it may
be advantageous to provide a metallization on opposite
end faces of the propellant charge body. In addition, it
may be advantageous to connect to this metallization short,
rod-shaped electrodes consisting e.g. of an aluminum wire
and pointing towards each other within the propellant
- charge so as to spatially fix an ignition spark and produce
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11
1 it preferably within the interior of the propellant charge
body. For projectile bodies having a 5.56 calibre, pro-
pellant charge bodies with a volume of approx. 1.~ to 2.4
cm are preferably provided. The propellant charge bodies
can have an angular cross-section, e.g. a square or a pris-
matic one. Alternatively and preferably, the propellant
charge bodies can be stout, cylindrical bodies. Cylindrical
propellant charge bodies having a diameter of approx. 12 mm
and a length of approx. 15 to 18 mm proved to be very ef- -~
ficient for use with a 5.56 calibre, by way of example. In-
stead of using prefabricated propellant charge bodies, it
will, in individual cases,also be possible to introduce from
a supply vessel, which is attached to the weapon, a liquid,
pasty or powdery detonation material into the propellant
charge bore of the cartridge chamber in measured portions.
The second bore or propellant charge bore of ~he cartridge
chamber has a cross-section adapted to the cross-section
of the propellant charge body. Preferably, a cyli~drical
cross-section of the bore is provided; alternatively, this
cross-section of the bore may also be angular, e.g. square
or prismaticO
The diameter or rather the cross-sectional dimensions of
the second bore of the cartridge chamber is/are preferably
a good deal larger than the diameter of the first bore of
the cartridge chamber; said diameter is, for example, twice
as large, or more than twice as large as the diameter of
the first boreO The different volumes of the projectile
body and of the propellant charge body are thus taken into
account, and the thickness of the cartridge chamber housing
is kept as small as possible.
A further feature which is preferably provided is that
each second bore extends fully through the disk-shaped
cartridge chamber housing in the axial direction, i.e.
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2~397~1 4
1 it is open towards both opposite end faces of the car-
tridge chamber housing. The whole cross-section of the
bore can be utilized for receiving therein a propellant
charge body. Furthermore, the propellant charge body can
be introduced in the second bore in one direction in the
loading position, and, if necessary, it can also be
removed from said bore in the same direction in a dif-
ferent, ejec~ing position, in cases in which ignition
is not intended or has not ~aken place. In addition,
the thickness and, consequently, also the mass of the
cartridge chamber housing are kept as small as possible.
_ In the firing position, this second bore or propellant
-` charge bore of the cartridge chamber housing will then
be closed on both sides by respective wall sections of
the housing.
Preferably, at least two cartridge chambers are formed
in the cartridge chamber housing so that, subsequent to
a firing position, a new firing position will be reached
after an 180 rotation of the cartridge chamber housing.
In such a case, the two cartridge chambers can be ar-
ranged essentially along a diameter of the disk-shaped
cartridge chamber housing. Alternatively and preferably9
the two cartridge chambers are in this case arranged
` 25 such that they are central-symmetrical with respect to
the axis of rotation of the cartridge chamber housing.
In the latter case9 smaller dimensions will suffice for
the cartridge chamber housing.
Alternatively9 the cartridge chamber housing may, for
example, include three or four cartridge chambers. A
higher cadence (number of fires per minute) can be
achieved and/or further positions for carrying out
other functions, e.g. cooling, cleaning and/or ejection
of non-used e~ements of ammunition, are provided in ad-
dition to the loading and firing positions. Especially
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13
1 a cartridge chamber housing including four '1crosswise"
arranged cartridge chambers proved to be very useful and
is preferably provided.
Ignition of the propellant charge body can be effected
in the conventional manner. In this case, an ignition
insertisattached to the propellant charge body adjacent
an end face, and, in the firing position, this ignition
insert can mechanically be acted upon by a striker or
the like. Preferably9 however, electric ignition of the
propellant charge body is provided. In this case, the
two wall sections of the housing have each inserted there~
in - in an electrically insulated manner - one electrode
adjacent the two end faces of the propellant charge body
occupying the firing position. The application of a suf-
ficiently large voltage to these electrodes will generate
a spark penetrating the propellant charge body and
igniting the propellant charge. In the case of a pro-
pellant charge body having a length of approx. 12 mm,
a current pulse with a voltage of approx. 20,000 volts
was sufficient to cause ignition. If necessary, the end
faces of the propellant charge body can additionally be
provided with a metallization and/or electrode sections
can additionally be provided within the propellant
charge body for reducing the voltage required and/or
for controlling the spark generation even more effec-
tively.
As has already been mentioned, the ammunition elements
can preferably be carried along and supplied for use
with the aid of a magazine consisting essentially of
an annular body from which an annular flange projects
in the axial direction, said flange having a smaller
external diameter than said annular body so that a
circumferentially extending step is provided on the
outer circumference of the magazine. The projectile
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14
1 bodies are contained in radially oriented bores within
the annular flange. The propellant charge bodies are
contained in axially oriented bores within the annular
body. In such a case, the housing can preferably be
provided with an annular groove into which the annular
flange of the magazine can be inserted in such a way
that a section of the disk-shaped cartridge chamber
housing projects into the circumferentially extending
step on the magazine.
In the loading position of a cartridge chamber, at
least one radial bore in the magazine is in alignment
--~ with the first bore or projectile body bore of this
cartridge chamber. Within the annular flange, a pro-
jectile body ejector is articulated on the housing,
said projectile body ejector being capable of pushing
the projectile body, which is contained in said radial
bore of the magazine, into said first bore of the
cartridge chamber.
Furthermore, in the loading position of a cartridge
chamber, at least one axial bore in the magazine
is in alignment with the second bore or charge body -
bore of this cartridge chamber. The housing has
`, 25 articulated thereon a charge body ejector capable
of pushing the charge body, which is contained in
said axial bore of the magazine, into said second bore
of the cartridge chamber. This propellant charge body ;
ejector can be attached to a housing cover in an ex-
pedient manner, said housing cover being adapted to
be opened by turning relative to the residual housing
so that the magazine can be inserted. When the cover
has been closed again, the propellant charge body
ejector can be introduced into the axial bore in the
magazine under the control of control disks or the
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1 like, and there it can eject a propellant charge body
contained in said bore and introduce said propellant
charge body into the second bore of the cartridge
chamber which is in alignmen~ with said first bore.
The displacement and the control of the cartridge cham-
ber housing, of the projectile body ejector and of the
propellant charge body ejector can be effected with the
aid of conventional control means. These control means
can also take care that the magazine is rotated step-
wise. Alternatively, the magazine can be equipped with
a prebiased helical spring, which, after insertion of
the magazine into the housing, causes said magazine
to rotate relative to the housing.
In the following, the present invention will be ex-
plained in detail on the basis of a preferred embodi-
ment while making reference to the drawingst in
which:
Fig. 1 shows, on the basis of an oblique
viewt part of a housing of a fire
arm provided with a disk-shaped,
' 25 rotatably supported cartridge cham-
ber housing;
Fig. 2 shows, on the basis of an oblique
view, the cartridge chamber
housing according to Fig. l;
Fig. 3 shows a top view of the housing ac-
cording to Fig. l;
Fig. 4 shows a representation - without the
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cartridge chamber housing - of
a section along the line V-V of
Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 shows a representation of a sec-
tion along the line V-V of Fig. 3;
Fig. 6 shows, on the basis of an oblique -
view, a magazine for supplying
the fire arm according to Fig. 1
with ammunition elements;
Fig. 7 shows a sectional view through
the housing, which has attached
the magazine thereto, along the line
V-V of Fig. 3; and
Fig. 8 shows a sectional view ~hrough
the housing, which has an alternative -
magazine attached thereto, along the
line VIII-VIII of Fig. 3.
2~397~ ~
1 The fundamental structural design of an automatic
fire arm provided with a cartridge chamber housing,
which is adapted to be rotated intermittently and in
the same direction, of the type referred to in the
present connection is known to those skilled in the
art. A housing has rotatably arranged therein a disk-
shaped cartridge chamber housing disposed in a rota
tionally symmetrical recess. The controlled drive of
the disk~shaped cartridge chamber housing can be ef-
fected via a control disk, which is, in turn, driven
via a gas-pressure drive or by a separately driven
f-~ motor. Furthermore, the housing has attached ~hereto
a barrel and, if desired, a striker and a cock. With
regard to further details, reference is e.g. made to
the known publications German-Auslegeschrift 24 01 543
and German-pat. 28 13 633.
The housing 10, only extracts of which are shown in
the drawings, is provided with a rotationally symmetri-
cal recess 11 intended to receive therein a cartridge
chamber housing 20, which is adapted to be rotated inter-
mittently and in the same direction about its axis of
rotation 21. A barrel 12 is rigidly secured to the
housing 10 and ends at a circumferential section of the
recess 11.
The cartridge chamber housing 20 has the form of a disk
and is delimited by the disk periphery 22 as well as
by the two disk faces 23 and 2~. The dimensions of the
disk are adapted to the dimensions of the recess 11 so
that controlled rotation of the cartridge chamber
housing 20 within the recess 11 can take place.
In the e~ample given, four cartridge chambers 25 are
formed within the cartridge chamber housing. Each car-
tridge chamber 25 has an essentially T-shaped confi-
guration including a first bore 26, which corresponds
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1 to the trunk of the T and which extends from the disk
periphery 22, said Eirst bore 26 extending in a plane
which is in alignment with the axis of the bore of the
barrel 12. This first bore or projectile body bore 26
serves to receive therein a projectile body 3. This
first bore or projectile-body bore 26 can be surrounded
by an obturation 28, which provides guidance of the
projectile body 3 and which improves the sealing of the
projectile body bore 26 with respect to the barrel 12.
In addition, a second bore 27 is provided, which cor-
responds to the crossbar of the T and which is open to-
--~ wards at least one of said disk faces 23, 24, said
second bore 27 being intended to receive therein a pro-
pellant charge body 4. It will be expedient, when said
second bore 27 extends essentially parallel to the
axis of rotation 21 of the cartridge chamber housing 20.
Said second bore 27 is preferably open towards both
disk faces 23 and 2~ of the cartridge chamber housing
20. Each cartridge chamber 25 can be brought into a
firing position located adjacent the inner mouth end
of the barrel 12 and indicatedi by arrow S and into a
loading position remote therefrom, said loading posi- ~`
tion being indicated by arrow L.
Adjacent said loading position L, the housing 10 has
formed therein an annular groove 13 at the centre of
which a base 14 is located, which has articulated
thereon a projectile body ejector 15. In addition, said
base 14 can have formed therein one or a plurality of
profiled recess(es). Furthermore, the housing 10 has
articulated thereon a propellant charge body eiector 17
in an appropriate manner, which is, however, not shown
in detail.
It will be expedient when the ammunition elements are
carried along and supplied for use with the aid of a
magazine 1 of the type shown in Fig. 6 to 8. This
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~397~
19
1 magazine 1 comprisesan annular body 30 and an axially
projecting annular flange 40 having a smaller external
diameter than said annular body 30. The outer circum-
ference of the magazine 1 has therefore a circumferen-
tially extending step, which is delimited by the exter- :
nal circumferential wall of the annular flange 40 and
by one face of the annular body 30.
The annular body 30 has formed therein axially oriented
bores 35 at regular intervals, said bores 35 being
located close to the periphery of said annular body 30
_~ and being intended to receive therein propellant
charge bodies 4. The annular flange 40 has formed there-
in radially oriented bores 45, which are provided in
a common plane and at regular intervalsand which are
intended for receiving therein projectile bodies 3.. The
annular space delimited by the annular body 30 can have
provided therein a prebiased helical spring 8 having one
spring end secured to the magazine 1 and the other
spring end secured to a holding means 37, which is, in
turn, adapted to be fixed in position on the magazine 1.
This magazine 1 can be inserted by means of its annular
flange 40 into the annular groove 13 provided in the
housing 10. A section of the cartridge chamber housing
20 will then project into the circumferentially ex-
tending step at the outer circumference of the magazine
1. The dimensions and the arrangement provided are of
such a nature that, in a loading position L of the
magazine 1 and of the cartridge chamber 25, a radial
bore 45 in the annular flange 40 will be in alignment
with the first bore or projectile body bore 26 of the
cartridge chamber 25. In addition, an axial bore 35 in
the annular body 30 of the magazine 1 will be in align-
ment with a second bore or propellant charge body bore27 of the cartridge chamber 25 in this loading position L.
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1 With the aid of the projectile body ejector 15, a pro-
jectile body 3 can be pushed out of the magazine 1 and
introduced into the projectile body bore 2~ of the car-
tridge chamber 25 in the case of this arrangement. In
an analogous manner, a propellant charge body 4 can be
pushed out of the magazine 1 and in~roduced into the ;~
propellant charge body bore 27 of the cartridge cham-
ber 25 with the aid of the propellant charge body ejec-
tor 17.
As is easily evident, it is possible to effect an imme-
diate and direct transfer of the ammunition elements
from the magazine 1 into the cartridge chamber 25. In
the course of said transfer, the projectile bodies 3
are displaced in a radial plane and the propellant
charge bodies 4 are displaced in a direction orthogonal
to said plane, in particular in an axial direction.
The cartridge chamber 25, which has been charged with
a~munition elements 3 and 4 in this way, is then brought
into a firing position S by rotating ~he cartridge
chamber housing 20 about its axis of rotation 21. In
the case of the e~ample chosen, electric ignition of
the propellant charge bodies 4 is provided. For this-~ 25 purpose, housing sections have inserted therein - in
an electrically insulated manner - electrodes 18, which
are arranged adjacent to the two end faces of the pro- -
pellant charge body 4 in its ~iring position and which
are adapted to have applied thereto an electric vol-
tage. The igni~ion spark then generated between the
electrodes 1~ ignites the propellant charge body 4.
In addition to its loading position L and its firing
pOSitiOII S, a given cartridge chamber 25 can selective-
ly also take up further positions, e.g. a position Kfor cooling and/or cleaning a cartridge chamber 25 which
has just been used. In this position K, a non-ignited
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21
1 propellant charge body can be pushed out of the second
bore 27 of the cartridge chamber 25, if necessary
with the aid of an ejector, which is not shown. Further-
more, an additional ejecting posi~ion A can selective-
ly be provided, in which the projecticle body associated
with a propellant charge body 4 which did not i8nite
can be removed from the first bore 26 of ~he cartridge
chamber 25; such a removal can be effected e.g. pneu-
matically.
As has already been stated, the controlled drive of the
--~ cartridge chamber housing 20 can - in a manner known ~`
per se - be effected via a control disk, which is not
shown and which is, in turn, driven via a gas pressure
drive or bya separatelydriven motor. Such a control
disk can additionally also be used for effecting the
adapted stepwise rotation of the magazine 1. Alternative-
ly, each magazine 1 can be equipped with a separate
rotary drive means, which takes care that the magazine 1
is rotated relative ~o the housing 10. For this purpose,
a helical spring 8, which is held on the magazine 1 in
a prebiased condition, can be provided by way of example.
One end section of this helical spring 8 is, for example,
supported on the annular body 30 and the other end sec-
tion thereof is supported on a holding means 16 adapted
to be lockingly fixed to the magazine 1 - said holding
means 16 being outlined only schematically. When the
magazine 1 abuts on the housing 10 of the fire arm, the
holding means 16 will rest on the housing 10 and the
locking engagement between said holding means 16 and said
magazine 1 will be released.
Said holding means may~ for example, consist of a round
plate, the helical spring 8 abutting on the upper side
of said plate. Two pins project above the underside of
said plate, said pins engaging two bores, which are formed
2~3~71~
1 in the annular flange 40 adjacent the inner circum-
ference thereof, in a displaceable manner. Furthermore,
one (or a plurality of) rod-shaped profile(s) project
above the underside of said plate, said profile(s) being
brought into engagement with an adequate recess in the
base 14 of the housing 10 when the magazine 1 is at-
tached to the housing 10. When the magazine 1 is pressed
against the housing 10 still further, the pins are moved
out of their bores in the magazine 1 (cf. Fig. 8).
The prebiased helical spring 8 will now be able to rotate
the magazine 1 relative to the housing lO. If desired,
a feature which may additionally be provided is tha~ the
same helical spring 8 or an additional helical spring
lS ~ which is not shown - can also be used for rotating the
intermittently rotatable cartridge chamber housing 20
of the fire arm.
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