GB704739A - Improvements relating to the loading of firearms having a ramming chamber - Google Patents

Abstract

704,739. Ordnance, loading. AKT1EBOLAGET BOFORS. Nov. 27, 1952 [Nov. 30, 1951], No. 30099/52. Class 92(1) A firearm has a ramming chamber 28, one or a plurality of loading tables extending through the hollow elevating trunnions of the firearm and into the ramming chamber, and a plurality of compartments 56, 57, 58, 56n, 57a, 58a, forming a magazine arranged above the table or tables, each compartment having an opening to the table or tables. In the firearm illustrated the firearm comprises a platform 1 carrying members 2, 3, which provide bearings for rings 4 rigid with the magazine 5, the latter being connected to the recoil jacket 12 of the barrel 13. The magazine is in three sections of which the outer two provide the compartments for the projectiles while the centre one provides space for the breech ring of the barrel on recoil and for the recoil brakes and ramming devices. Each table comprises three beams 15, 16, 17 (all parts to the right of Figs. 3 and 5 are given the additional suffix a) of which the outer beams 15, 17 are fixed and the central beam 16 is longitudinally movable. The outer beams have spring-controlled snap devices 19, 21 to prevent the outermost projectiles from falling off the table and are associated with star wheels 29 ... 36 which in conjunction with a rail 22 serve to guide the projectiles in their movement towards the ramming chamber. The centre beams have four spring-controlled snap devices 37-40 and are constantly urged towards the ramming chamber by spring-controlled pivoted arms 41. Means are provided to ensure that the beams cannot move simultaneously. The magazine compartments are also fitted with snap devices and have stops 62, 63, 64, electro-magnetically operated, for instance, which co-operate with members 65-67, such as switches on which projectiles can rest, in such manner that a projectile can only be fed from a compartment when there is no projectile in contact with the corresponding member 65-67. Operation. If the firearm is without projectiles, charging is effected by placing the projectiles one at a time at the outer edge of a table and thereafter moving the beam 16 to advance the projectile one stop. The compartments are filled when the tables are fully loaded. One of the tables is 'in a position to locate a projectile in the path of the rammer; 'this projectile is then rammed home. On firing, the cam 26 or 27 on a recoiling part moves that arm 41 which is in its path, such movement being transmitted to beam 16 which then reaches an outer position for another projectile to be placed on the table. In the meantime the other beam has advanced to load another round for firing. This continues and no rounds are taken from the compartments. When, however, the supply of rounds to the tables is discontinued, the stops of compartments 56, 56a, no longer holds the rounds. and this compartment then feeds rounds to the table until it is emptied. The rounds are subsequently fed from compartments 57, 57a and 58. 58a.