US2725791A - Case ejector for guns - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 6, 1,955 G. P. GRAvENHoRsT E-r AL CASE EJECTOR FOR GUNS Filed Nov. 14, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 6, 1955 G. P. GRAvENHoRsT Er AL 2,725,791

CASE EJECTOR FOR GUNS Filed Nov. 14, 1949 3 SheetsSheet 2 ec 6, 1955 G. P. GRAvENHoRsT Er AL 2,725,791

CASE EJECTOR FOR GUNS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 14, 1949 @QH El c: rI N VEN TORS 60H00 H @EVEN/HORST;

BY raf/HTFR A.

United States Patent ddee CASE EJECTR FOR GUNS Gordon P. Gravenhorst, Middle River, and Henry H. Franz and William A. Snow, Baltimore, and Walter L. Black, Middle River, Md., assignors to The Glenn L. Marlin Company, Middle River, Md., a corporation of Maryland Application November 14, 1949, Serial No. 127,082 S Claims. (Cl. 8933) Thisinvention relates to a case ejector for any type machine gun but more particularly for the type which is installed in a rotatable gun turret of the kind used on airplanes.

The degree of utility of a machine gun turret lies in its being able to direct its fire in many directions while the turret base is maintained eifectively in a ixed position. Knowing this, it is apparent that in order to make a turret assembly more usefulV and eiective, one` causes the ejected cases to fall back into the ejectionV slot, thus creating a jam.

It is of utmost importance for any weapon, especially one of this type, to be dependable and rugged. The possibilities of failure must be thoroughly investigated and overcome. Through such an investigation for a possible failure in the operation of a machine gun to be used for the purpose mentioned, this mechanism was developed which will eliminate gun jamming caused by improper case ejection. With thiswmechanism, the gun may be red in any plane of rotation and the cases ejected with comparable ease and etliciency.

Itis an object of this invention to improve the operational features of a machine gun by use of a new type power-operated case ejector.

Another object of this invention is to allow greater movement and consequently greater coverage of a machine g`un and its turret.

Another object of this invention is to eliminate gun jamming, thus improving the dependability of such a weapon.

Another object of this invention is to permit turrets 'to be mounted at any desired angle and on any section of the fuselage without impairing the operation of its guns.

Another object of this invention is to positively eject empty cases to a point outside the confines of the turret regardless of the position of the turret or the gun therein -at a particular time.

Further and other objects will become apparent from the description of the accompanying drawing which form a part of this disclosure and in which like numerals refer Vto like parts.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a fragmentary view looking downward on a turret and its supporting structure and showing a case ejector mounted on the machine gun assembly therein.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detailed view of the case ejector shown mounted in Figure 1.

of the case ejector shown Figure 3 is a side view in Figure 2.

nism 15 is provided with a secure pulley supports 27 and 28.

l ing with the belts to properly orient the 2,725,791 Patented Dec. 6, 1955 Turret 1 shown in Figure 1 is supported by structure 2 extending circumferentially around the turret and Vbeing rigidly secured to the side portion 2 of an airplane fuselage. Structure 2 is provided with a bearing portion 3 and an internal ring gear 4. Bearing portion 3 contacts bearing rollers 5 and 6 supporting the turret for full rotation about its axis of symmetry. Controlled rotation of the turret is accomplished by internal ring gear 4 on Structure 2 acting in conjunction with a suitable drive pinion (not shown) rotatably carried by the turret. Annular ring 8, in which rollers 5 and 6 are mounted, provides a base for all additional turret structure. Gun cradle 9 is integral with annular ring 8 forming a support for gun assembly 10. Pivot axis 11, common to gun cradle 9 and gun assembly 10 allows gun 12, mounted rigidly in gun assembly 10, to move in a plane normal to pivot axis 11. Enclosure 13 which forms a part of turret 1 is provided with a slot 14 through which the barrel of gun 12 projects. The unconventional mounting position of turret 1 and the fragile arming equipment (not shown) mounted therein makes necessary a power operated means for ejecting shell cases out of the turret, the means being hereinafter referred to as ejector mechanism 15. Ejector mechaframe 16 pivoted at 16 at its upper end to gun assembly 10 adjacent the normal ejector opening 17 of gun 12 mounted'in gun assembly 10. A pair of opposed conveyer belts 18 and 19 are mounted on frame 16 and are adapted to positively grip the ejected cases, orient them endwise, and convey them to the mouth of an elongated ejection tube 20 from which they are discharged outwardly of the turret structure. Suitable baillesVto be described in detail herebelow, are provided for insuring that the ejected cases will enter between the conveyer belts and for cooperatejected cases. Conveyer belts 18 and 19 are arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal median plane of the ejection slot, and as shown in Figure 3, are supported at their entrance end by pulleys 21 and 22 mounted for rotation about axles 21 and 22 and having their contacting surfaces meeting the ribbed formation of the belts surfaces. Axles 21 and 22 may be adjusted to tension the belts by cams 23 and 24 pivoted on bolt-like axles 25 and 26 secured to frame 16. Pulley supports 27 and 28 are provided with guide slots 29 through which bolts 30, secured to frame 16, extend to hold the pulley supports in position after cams 23 and 24 have been properly adjusted against seating surfaces 31 and 32. Pulleys 21 and 22 may be adjusted toward or away from one another to vary the spacing between belts 18 and 19 by eccentric cams 33 and 34 mounted on pulley supports 27 and 28 supporting the axles 21 and 22 for pulleys 21 and 22. Conveyer belts 18 and 19 are supported near the exit end of conveyer mechanism 15 by non-adjustable pulleys 35 and 36 having shafts 35 and 36' suitably journalled in the frame 16. Shafts 35 and 36' have secured thereto spur gears 37 and 38 meshing with one another and providing a means of driving conveyer belts 18 and 19 in opposed directions. To prevent belts 18 and 19 from sagging midway between the pulleys, ilat springs 39 and 40 contact the inner surfaces of the belts on the inner runs as shown in Figure 3. Springs 39 and 40 are supported by bolts 30 which, as mentioned, Conveyer belts 18 and 19 are operated through a spur and bevel gear train 41 to 44 inclusive meshing with gear 38 on pulley 36. The power is supplied by an electric' motor 45 through shaft 46. Electric motor 45 is securely mounted by bolts 45 to frame 16. Ejection tube 2t) is rigidly attached to frame 16 of ejector mechanism 15 adjacent the exit end of conveyer belts 18 and 19 and extends into an outlet sleeve i7 which is pivoted to turret enclosure 13 as shown 1n Figure 1. Pin 48 secured to tube 20 slides in a suitable slot formed in cam 49, thus stabilizing ejection mechanism 15 as it moves relative to the turret due to movement of gun 12. Cam 49is supported by bracket structure 49 rigidly carried from the turret within the enclosure 13.

As gun 12 is rotated, the position of ejection mechanism 15 changes angularly'with respect to ejection slot 17 making it more diicult for conveyers 1S and 19 to grip the cases ejected by gun 12. To insure positive and dependable action by ejection mechanism 15, suitable battles are used. Aft baiiie 5t) is pivoted at 50 to gun assembly adjacent the aft end of ejection slot 17 as shown in Figure 1, and is fastened to ejection mechanism by pin 51, extending through a slot 52 formed therein as shown in Figure 2. Bafe 50 is formed of two sections arranged to telescope with one another to alord greater overall movement of ejection mechanism 15 with respect to pivot 50. Spring 53 connecting with pin 51 and frame 16 tends to keep bafe 50 in its fully extended position.

Forward baille 54 is pivoted at 54' on one end to gun assembly 10 adjacent the forward end of ejection opening 17 as shown in Figure 1 and on the other end to the frame 16 by pin 55 extending through slot 56 therein. Bale 54 is also formed of two sections arranged to telescope with one another to provide for greater movement of ejection mechanism 15. Spring 57 connecting with pin 55 extends to connect with frame 16 as shown in Figure l. Adjacent ejection slot 17 baffle S4 has ears 58 extending on either side of ejection slot 17 towards aft baille 50, the spacing between these plates 58 being such that they enter between conveyer belts 18 and 19. A secondary baiiie 60 is pinned at pivot 59 offset from pin 54' towardA the forward portion of ejection slot 17 as shown in Figure 2. Baflie 60 is a flat metal bar extending from its pivot axis 59 to a seating surface on baille 54. -To provide a means for orienting shell cases endwise as they are ejected, resilient guide forks 61 and 62 are employed. Both guide forks are identical and both extend between the inner runs of conveyer belts 18 and 19. These guide forks are rigidly secured to frame 16 adjacent the opening to ejection tube 2t) and extend towards baflies 50 and 54. Guide fork 61 contacts a seating surface on baie 50 and fork 62 contacts the tlat bar bafe 60.

The operation of the machine of this invention is obvious from the description given hereinbefore. Turret 1 is rotated by means previously mentioned to orient gun 12 in the proper place for tiring on a target. Then gun 12 moves about its pivot axis 11 until the firing pattern intersects the target. Ejection mechanism 15 pivoted to gun assembly 10 as shown in Figure 1 moves when gun 12 pivots in itsplane, independent of the rotation of t turret 1. The arrangement of pivot 16 with pivot 11 keeps ejection mechanism 15 adjacent ejection slot 17 irrespective of the movement of gun 12. When gun 12 is swung to tire at angles near the turrets polar axis the ejector mechanism is angularly `out of alignment with ejection slot 17. To compensate for this condition, the baffles are employed to direct the shell cases between the conveyers. The ears on baflie 54 close the space left open by the gun rotating a larger amount than the ejection mechanism. Batlle 6i) protects bafe 54 from the impact of the cases, being especially necessary at critical positions of the gun when the batlie is in an extended position. The curved contours of the guide forks extending to contact the baffles provide a gradual and positive orientation of the cases to eliminate binding as they enter ejection tube Ztl. When pivot axis 16 moves in its circular arc about pivot axis 11, the ejector 15 together with discharge tube 20 will move somewhat with respect to the turret. Such motion is freely permitted by the mounting arrangement shown, tube 20 sliding in or out of sleeve 47 and being guided in its motion by the pin and Slot connection 48, 49.

While but a single embodiment of the invention has been specically described, it is believed obvious that many changes and substitutions could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as detined by the claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. Apparatus for disposing of empty cartridge cases comprising a supporting structure, a gun assemblypivoted to said structure, said gun assembly including a gun, said gun having an ejection slot formed therein, an ejecting mechanism including a frame having one end portion pivoted to said gun assembly, means supporting the opposite end portion of said frame from said structure, a pair of opposed conveyers supported by said frame and having one end arranged adjacent said ejection slot to receive therebetween cases ejected from said slot, said conveyers having their inner runs moving in a direction generally away from said ejection slot, means for operating said conveyers, and guide means associated with said conveyers for guiding ejected cases therealong.

2. Apparatus for disposing of empty cartridge cases comprising a supporting structure, a gun assembly pivotally supported thereon, said gun assembly including a gun, said gun having an ejection slot formed therein, an ejecting mechanism including a frame having one end portion thereof pivoted to said gun assembly adjacent said ejection slot at a point offset from said gun pivot, means supporting theY opposite end portion of said frame from said structure, a pair of opposed conveyers mounted within said frame and having their inner runs moving in a direction generally away from said ejection slot, means for driving said conveyer, and guide means associated with said conveyers for guiding ejected cases therealong.

3. Apparatus for disposing of empty cartridge cases comprising a supporting structure, a gun assembly pivotally supported thereon, said gun assembly including a gun, said gun having an ejection slot formed therein, an ejection mechanism including a frame having one end portion pivoted to said gun assembly, a pair of opposed conveyers supported by said frame and having one end adjacent said ejection slot, said conveyers having inner A runs moving in a direction generally away from said ejection slot, means for operating said conveyers, guide means associated with said conveyers for guiding ejected shell therealong, an ejection tube rigidly mounted on said frame adjacent the other end of said conveyers and extending to said structure, and 'means supporting said ejection tube on said structure.

4. Apparatus for disposing of empty cartridge cases comprising a turret having a gun assembly pivotally mounted therein, said gun assembly including a gun, said gun being provided with an ejection slot, an ejection mechanism including a frame having an end portion thereof pivoted to said gun assembly adjacent said ejection slot, a pair of opposed-conveyers mounted within said frame and having their inner runs moving in a direction generally away from said ejection slot, means for operating said conveyers, an ejection tube tixedly attached to said frame adjacent the exit end of said conveyers, said tube extending through an opening in said turret, means supporting said tube from said turret, baffles slidably attached to said .frame and pinned to said gun assembly, and guide means associated with said conveyers for guiding ejectedV cases therealong.

5. Apparatus for disposing of empty cartridge cases comprising a turret having a gun assembly pivotally mounted therein, said assembly including a gun, said gun being provided with an ejection slot, an ejection mechanism including a frame having an end portion thereof pivoted to said gun assembly adjacent said ejection slot, said end portion pivotbeing offset from said gun assembly pivot, means supporting the opposite end portion of said frame of said ejecting mechanism, a pair of opposed Y veyers, and

conveyers mounted within said frame having one end thereof adjacent said ejection slot, said conveyers having their inner runs moving in a direction generally away from said ejection slot, means for operating said conguide means associated with said conveyers for guiding ejected cases therealong.

6. Apparatus for disposing of empty cartridge cases comprising a turret having a gun assembly pivotally mounted thereon, said assembly including a gun having an ejection slot provided therein, an ejecting mechanism including a frame having one end portion thereof pivoted to said gun assembly adjacent said ejection slot, a pair of opposed conveyers mounted within said frame having one end thereof adjacent said ejection slot, said conveyers having their inner runs moving in a direction generally away from said ejection slot, an ejection tube rigidly mounted to said frame adjacent the exit end of sai-d conveyers, said tube extending through an opening in said turret, means for supporting said tube, and guide means associated with said conveyers for guiding ejected cases therealong.

7. Apparatus for disposing of empty cartridge cases comprising a supporting structure, a gun assembly pivotally supported thereon, said gun assembly including a gun, said gun having an ejection slot formed therein, an

ejection mechanism including a frame having one end portion pivoted to sai-d gun assembly adjacent said ejection slot at a point oiset from said gun assembly pivot, a pair of opposed conveyers mounted within said frame, one end thereof adjacent said ejection slot, said conveyers having their inner runs moving in a direction generally away from said ejection slot, an ejection tube rigidly mounted on said frame adjacent the exit end of said conveyers, said tube extending through an opening in said turret, means for supporting said tube, and guide means associated with said conveyers for guiding ejected cases therealong.

8. Apparatus for disposing of empty cartridge cases comprising a supporting structure, a gun assembly pivotally supported thereon, said gun assembly including a gun, said gun having an injection slot formed therein, an ejection mechanism including a frame having one en-d portion pivoted to said gun assembly adjacent said ejection slot at a point offset from said gun assembly pivot, a pair of opposed conveyers mounted within said frame, one end thereof adjacent said ejection slot, said conveyers having their inner runs moving in a direction generally away from said ejection slot, an ejection tube rigidly mounted on said frame a-djacent the eXit end of said conveyers, said tube extending through an opening in said turret, means for supporting said tube, a pair of baffles slidably pivoted to said frame and pivotally connected to said gun assembly adjacent said ejection slot, guide forks secured to said frame adjacent said exit end of said conveyers, extending therebetween and contacting said baies.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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