US2777365A - Automatic firearm - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 15, 1957 Filed Aprll 13, 1954 D. D. MUsGRAvE FIREARM Shee mmm

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ATTORNEY Jan. 15, 1957 D. D. MusGRAvE 2,777,365

AUTOMATIC FIREARM Filed April 13, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIIIIIr HW immlmmn L [Il] www!! FIG. 5.

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AUTOMATIC FIREARM Jan. 15, 1957 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 15, 19.54

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INVENTOR DAN/E L D. MUSGRV BY M M ATTORNEY Jan. 15, 1957 D. D. MusGRAvE 2,777,355

AUTOMATIC FIREARM Filed April 13, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 'llmll lllll Hamm IIIIHEMHUNI llmnglwlilllll JWHNIU llHllumul "llllln //l o /l o O o INVENTOR 0A NEL D. MUSGRA VE ,Zu/ M..

A ATTORNEY Jan. 15, 1957 D. D. MUsGRAvE AUTOMATIC FIREARM 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April 15. 1954 INVENTOR DAN/E L D. MUSGRAVE ATTORNEY n V2,717,365 `Patented Jan. 15, `1957 2,111,365 `AJUTOMATIC FIREARM e Daniel D. Musgrave, cabin John Park, Ma. l Application April 13, 1954, seal No. 422,156

- 11 claims. (cl. sit-155) This invention relates to autom-atie firearms and more particularly to such iirearms using fixed ammunition and having high rates of tiring. i

The invention will be disclosed herein as applied to or embodied in an automatic riiie, but it will be understood that the invention is equally applicable to other types of firearms and weapons such as, for example,lrocket launcllers.

In the automatic firearms of the prior art, the effects of inertia of moving parts have been particularly troublesome and have limited the rates of're and the reliabil- 1ty [of the weapons. lIn some automatic rides of the prior art, for example, the cartridge consisting of la bullet and Y a case with the powder whichis moved `in its belt to a position near the breech of the rifle barrel where it is then moved rearward by some mechanism to detach it from the belt; it is then moved forward into the breech or firing chamber by some ramming mechanism; and is there held in this position until fired by `sorne4 breech closing mechanism. After tir-ing, the breech mechanism must be moved transversely -in the rie to permit the empty cartridge `case to be removedfrom the firing chamber Vand to open the breech for insertion of the next cartridge. 'I'he mech-anisms of the prior arthav'e thus been subject to high and unbalanced inertia forcesand have had-to include heavy parts to withstand the stresses set up by the rapid firing of the rifles, the heavy weights of the parts adding to the mechanical difficulties of design and operation.

The principal object of the inventionis to provide in an .automatic cartridge firearm -a feed, firing and cartridgecase election system that involvesthe minimum of inertia of moving parts. W

` Another object of the invention is to `provide in an automatic firearm an ammunition feed-and ejectionsystem that is positive in its action and in which there is no movement of the ammunition axially in the flrearm. Another object of the invention is ltoprovide in an automatic firearm an animunition Afeed andV ejection system in which the'arnmu'nition moves in the gun only in 'a plane at right angles to the bore of the firearm barrel.

Another object o f therinvention is toprovide -an autorifle shown in Figure l, taken from the upper edge of Figure 1 and having been rotated 180;

Figure 3 is a'side elevation similar to Figure 2, but takenfrlom the lower edge of Figure 1; i

Figure 4 is a fragmentary axial section through the revolver-driving piston, certain parts being shown in elevation; V

Figure 5 is an axial section taken on line 5-5 in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a cross section on line 6 6 in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a developed or rolled-out view of the firing cylinders, the ring cylinder camway, the barrel of the rifle and the cartridges;

Figure 8 is a plan view of one form of belt to which the cartridges may be attached as the cartridges are fed into the rie;

Figure 9 is an elevational view of the belt as shown in Figure 8;

, Figure 10 is a cross section through the belt` taken on line 10--10 of Figure 8 with a cartridge held in the clip, the cartridge being shown in phantom;

Figure 11 is a sectional view through the tiring switch taken on line 11-11 in Figure 3;

Figure 12 is a three-quarter rear perspective of the revolver, a firingcylinder, and the barrel; and

Figure 13 is a three-quarter front perspective of the revolver.

Referring to the drawings, the main or supporting frame of the rifie is shown at 20, to which frame is secured the barrel 22 by screw threads, such as at 24.

The ritiing on the inside surface of the barrel-22 is shown 'at 25.( In the longitudinal axis of the frame 20 is positioned the revolver 26, shown generally in Figures l2 and 13. Revolver 26 consists of a cylindrical 'portion A28, a ange 30 andra central spindle 32. Spindle 32 is supported in opposite ends of frame 20 in a conventional manner, such as a saddle type of bearing 'as generally used in trunnion supports in ordnance equipment.

',Longitudinally the cylindrical portion 28 of revolver 26 are cut a number of grooves 34, in which grooves the lugs 36 on tiring cylinders 38 slide. In the present embodiment there are seven such grooves 34. The walls matic firearm having a` plurality of firing cylinders slidably mounted -on -a revolvable member, hereinafter and in the `appended claims` referred to `as a revolver.`

f Another object ,of the invention is to provide invv `an automatic iirearmia plurality of firing cylinders adapted to encompass the cartridges `to be fired, which firing cylinders are adapted to move on a 4revolver in directions parallel to the bore of the `firearm land in inertia'balanced relation to each other.

.Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the description of the invention yas hereinafter set forth in detail and from the drawings made a part thereof in which:

Figure l is a top plan of the invention as applied to an automatic rilie;

of grooves 34 are cut away, as at 40, in a dove-tailed shape for the lugs 36. Diametrically opposite lugs 36 on cylinders 38 are studs 44 that support rollers 46 that are adapted to roll in' a cam track 4S secured on the inner face of frame 20. It is evidentthat without departing fromthe spirit of the invention a greater number. of grooves and tiring positions may be used.

The inner walls of tiring cylinders 38are cylindrical and of the same diameter as the bore of barrel 22 and form the firing chambers of the rie." As shown particularly in Figure 5, the firing cylinders 38 are of a diameter to t snugly over the cartridge 52 and long enough to flt snugly between the rear end of barrel 22 and the front face of flange 30, which ange takes up the recoil reaction upon the firing of the cartridges.

The cam track 48 is helical in shape, the axis of which is shown rolled-out at 50 in Figure 7. It is apparent that rotation of revolver 26 about its axis will move the firing cylinders 38 longitudinally back and forth along the revolver 26, to and through the various positions or stations as shown in Figure 7. The rotation of revolver 26` is accomplished in the present embodiment by energy supplied by the explosive gases, as will be hereinafter l described in detail.

Vlliiigure 2 is a side elevation of the rear portion ofthe Referring particularly to Figures 3`and 4, cylinder 53, closed at its forward end, is supported above the rilie barrel 22 by bracket 54 on frame 20 and pipe `56 on barrel 22. Cylinder 53 is connected through hole 58,' pipe 56 and hole 60 to the inside `of barrel 22 near its forward end; inside of cylinder 53 moves piston 62 toV which is attached piston extension 6 4. Extension 64 is hollow, except for its forward end and near which end project-s inward the stud 66, and has longitudinal grooves 67 cut in its outer surface in which keys 5 9 (inside bracket 54) slide, to keep extension 64 from revolving about its axis as it moves to the rear and in a forward direction.

Shaft 68 is mounted at its rear end in bearings in brackets 70 and 71 secured to frame 20. Shaft 68 extends forward into and is supported by piston extension 64. In the -surface `of shaft 68 is cut groove 72 -which is in two sections, that is, the groove is the combination of one complete, single spiral turn groove which merges at each of its ends into a straight groove parallel to the axis of the shaft 68. This groove 72 engages stud 66 so that when piston 62 is forced rearward under pressure -within the barrel 22, the lug 66 follows the spiral part of vgroove 72 and the shaft 68 is turned 360 about its axis and when extension 64 is moved forward,runder the force `of spring 74 acting between bracket 71 and extension 64, the stud 66 follows the straight part of groove 72 and the shaft 68 remains axially or rotationally stationary. Thu-s an intermittent and undirectional rotational motion is given to shaft 68 upon the tiring of each cartridge in the rifle. In order to assure that stud 66 follows the spiral groove when piston 62 is moved to the rear and follow the longitudinal groove when piston 62 is moved under the force of spring 74, the spiral groove is deepened at its forward end and is mademorev shallow at its rear end than the longitudinal groove so that lug 66 will slip down into the deeper longitudinal groove at the end of its rearward movement and into the spiral groove at the beginning of its rearward; movement.

It is thus apparent that this motion can be and is used to operate the rifle, that is, to furnish the power to rotate the revolver 26 and hence move the `tiring cylinders 38, to pull in the loaded and expel the empty ammunition belt, to move the ring cylinders from forward to rear positions and back to forward positions as they embrace the cartridges and move the cartridges from an initial position within the frame to the firing position and are withdrawn lfrom around the red or empty cartridge cases, to eject the empty cartridge cases, and to close the electrical contacts for firing the rie.

Motion is transmitted from shaft 68 to flange 30 by gear 76 pinioned to shaft 68 and gear 78 cut in ange 30. The Sizes of gears 68 and 78 are such that one revolution of shaft 68 rotates ange 30 one-seventh of a revolution, there being seven ring cylinders in the disclosed embodiment. i

In the particular embodiment disclosed herein,l the loaded ammunition is fed into the gun on belt 80 on which are secured, as by rivets 82, spring clips 84 that fit into grooves 86 at the base end of cartridges 52 and spring clips 88 that partially encircle the cartridge case (Figures 2 and 10). The loaded belt is threaded through feed chute y90 until the first cartridge isrnoved to an initial position for engagement with an indentation in the star wheels 92 (feed position, or station a, Figure 6). Cooking knob 94 (Figure 4) is then moved to the rear and then forward, moving piston extension 64 to there-,ar and forward, which motion turns shaft 68 one revolution and revolver 26 one-seventh of a revolution. Atthe same time star wheels 92 are turned one-'quarter of a revolution through gear 96 on spindle 32 and intermediate gear 98 (Figure 5). Gear 98 is pinioned, on shaft 99 which is mounted in a bearing in frame 100,' which frame 100 is mounted on the frame 20. Gear 98 meshes with gear 102 pinioned on Shaft 104, ,whichV I shaft turns in bearing-s in frame 100. On shaft 104 are pinioned the star wheels 92.

Upon the next cyclic moving of the cooking knob 94, the revolver 26 is moved one-seventh of a revolution to the strip position, or station b, at which position a tiring cylinder 36 has moved to the rear and surrounds or embraces the b ullet end of the cartridge 52. During the next cocking stroke, the revolver moves to the chamber position, or station c, that is, the tiring cylinder has moved farther to the rear and having stripped the cartridge from belt 80, the cartridge is now completely within the firing cylinder or chamber. Upon the next cocking cycle stroke of knob 94, the tiring cylinder with the first cartridge reaches the firing position, or station d, where the cartridge may be fired either by conventional percussion 'or by an electric current, as shown in Figures 3, 5 and 13.

In the meantime the empty end of belt is threaded under theupper cover of feed chute and over belt sprocket wheel 106 engaging belt holes 107. Wheel 106 is mounted on bifurcated bracket 71 and driven by gear 110 on shaft 108 to which wheel 106 is pinioned. Gear 110 meshes with gear 76, previously described. The empty belt is thus ejected from the ejection chute 112.

In the front face yof iiange 30, and equally spaced apart on a circle concentric therewith,.are pairs of grooves 114 (Figure 5) in which resilient extractors 116 are secured by screws, such as 118. The cartridge-loaded belt is so guided and positioned as it is fed into the frame 20 that the rear ends of the cartridges are in close and direct contact with ange 30 so that the resilient extractors 116 engage the ends Iof the cartridges as they are moved by the star wheels 92.V The cartridges being engaged by the cylinders 38 at their forward ends and by the extractors 116 at their rear ends are separated from the belt 80 as the paths of the cylinders and the extractors diverge from the path of the belt as it approaches to pass over the sprocket wheel 106.

In the center between these grooves 114 and passing through ange 30 is a hole 120 in which is positioned the percussion tiring pin or electric tiring pin 122. In the present embodiment, electric tiring pin 122 is forced forward against the force of spring 124 and into contact with the detonator in the base of cartridge 52 by the head of set screw 126 that protrudes through frame 20.

Through firing pin 122, and exposed at its forward end, is insulated wire 128 which comesinto contact with insulated wire 130 in screw 126 when the ange 30 is in proper firing position relative to the tiring cylinders 38. The head or cap of tiring pin 122 is beveled on its leading edge, as at 131, that it may be driven forward as it comes into contact with the head of screw 126. Wire 130 is connected to firing switch 132 in switch box -133 by wire 134. As seen in Figures 3, l1 and 13, switch 132 is operated by cam 136 keyed to shaft 68, which cam depresses rod 138, made of an linsulating material, onto spring loaded arm 140 which carries one contact of switch 132. The other contact of switch 132 is connected by wire 142 to a source of electric current 144, to a firing control switch and hence to ground, as at 148I Frame 20 is also grounded, as at 148, which completes the electric tiring circuit through frame 20, revolver 26, firing cylinders 36 and the cartridge case.

. To ensure the minimum leakage of the propellant gases from the explosions of the powders in the cartridge cases, sealing sleeves 95 are positioned in counterbores 97 in the forward endsof cylinders 38, which counterbores extend rearward to approximately the forward ends of the cartridges 52 when the individual cylinders- 38 are in their firing positions. Sleeves 95 are spring loaded by springs 99, which bear at their rear ends against the anges on sleeves 95 and which at their forward ends fit into threaded inserts 101 in cylinders 38. Upon the tiring of the cartridges, sleeves 95 are moved forward by the'gasses of explosion with great force against the rear faces of barrel 22 and thus ensure gas tight contact between barrel 22 and cylinders 38 that are practical.

Upon tiring, if it has not alreadyl occurred, extractors 116 engage a niche in the base of the cartridge by the cartridge being forced rearward upon its being fired,

After the bullet has passed beyond the hole 56 in barrel 272', the gas in the barrel still being under pressure forces piston 62 and piston extension 64 to the rear, which motion through rod 68, gears 76 and 78 rotate revolver 26 one-seventh of a revolution and firing piston 38 that has just been tired moves forward (to position, or station e, Figure 7). As the revolver 26 is moved another oneseventh of a revolution (tothe position, or station f, Figures 6 and 7) the firing cylinder 384 that has just been fired has moved forward far enough so that the cartridge case has been completely extracted. As the revolver 26 is moved another one-seventh of a revolution (to position, or station g, Figures 6 and 7) the empty cartridge case 149 engages indentation in star wheels 92. Upon a further one-seventhl revolution of revolver 26, star wheels 92 eject the empty cartridge case through ejector chute 150. V

While the preferredembodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described by way of examples, it will be obvious that changes may be made therein within the spiritrand scope of the invention and, therefore, the invention-is not to be limited to the precise forms herein disclosed, For example, the cartridges may be joined together by clips to form exible strips of ammunition to be fed into chute 90 toengage star wheels v92, or the cartridges may be fed into chute 90 by ygravity from hoppers to engage star wheels 92.

Also, different systems for firing the cartridges may be used,

such as by concussion, as are well known in the art.

Also, electric solenoids, electromagnetic or pneumatic mechanisms may be substituted for the explosive-gas operated mechanism disclosed to rotate the revolver 26. Also; changes in forms may be made to accommodate large xed ammunition, such as rockets.

There is thus disclosed an arrangement of parts in an automatic firearm in which the cartridges are not moved longitudinally the firearm but are moved solely in a plane at right angles to the axis of the barrel of the rearm; the tiring cylinders or chambers are moved in balanced inertia relation to each other; and there is no forward and rearward movement of the cartridges. The feeding and ring system of the present invention provides an improved and more steady firearm and permits of lighter parts than have heretofore been required, which of itself alone is a great improvement in such firearms.

What I claim is: j

1. In an automatic firearm for cartridge ammunition in combination: a main frame; a single barrel mounted in said frame; a breechv block mounted in said frame; a revolver revolvable in said frame, said revolver having longitudinal grooves therein; firing .cylinders slidable on said revolver, the said cylinders having lugs thereon adapted to slide in said grooves; means upon rotation of said revolver and said cylinders in said frame for simultaneously moving said cylinders successively from forward positions torearward positions between said barrel and said breech block and back to said forward positions; and means formoving said cartridges successively to positions juxtaposed the rear ends of said cylinders when said cylinders are in said forward positions and thence in paths parallel to said ends of said cylinders, whereby the said cylinders upon their rearward movement successively embrace said cartridges.

2. In an automatic firearm for, cartridgel ammunition in combination: a main frame; ak single barrel mounted in said frame; a breech block mounted in-said frame; a revolver mounted in said frame, said revolver having longitudinal grooves therein and the axis of said revolver being parallel to the axis of -said barrel; means for rotating said revolver about its axis; firing cylinders slidable on said revolver and revolvable with said revolver; means f or feeding cartridges to initial positions within said frame; and means for moving said cylinders successively from forward positions on `said revolver to rearward positions between said barrel and said'breech block and back to said forward positions; whereby the said cylinders encompass successively said cartridges in their initial positions and move said `cartridges in a plane at right angles to the axis of said barrel to a firing position of said cartridges.

j ring cylinders slidable on said revolver and revolvable with said revolver; means for feeding cartridges to initial positions within said frame, the bases of said cartridges being juxtaposed said ange; and means for moving said cylinders successively from forward positions on said revolver to rearward positions between said barrel and said breech block and back to said forward positions; whereby the said cylinders'encompass successively said cartridges in their initial positions and move said cartridges in a plane at right angles to the axis of said barrel to a firing position of said cartridges.

4. In an automatic firearm for cartridge ammunition in combination: fa -main frame; a single barrel mounted in said frame; a breech block mounted in said frame; a revolver mounted in said frame, said revolver having a cylindrical portion'with longitudinal grooves therein and a flange at the rear end of said portion and the axis of said revolver being parallel to the axis of said barrel;

`within said frame, the bases of said cartridges being juxtaposed said flange; means for moving said cylinders successively from forward positions on said revolver to rearward-positions between said barrel and s-aid breech block and back to said forward positions; whereby the said cylinders encompass successively said cartridges in their initial positions and move said cartridges in a plane at right angles to the axis of said barrel to a firing position of said cartridges; and resilient means carried by said flange for engaging the rear ends of said cartridges.

5. In an automatic firearm for cartridge Iammunition in combination: a main frame; a single barrel mounted in rsaid frame; a breech block mounted in said frame; a revolver mounted in said frame, the said revolver including a cylindrical portion having grooves therein and a ange at the rear ends of said cylindrical portion, the axis of .said revolver being parallel to the axis of said barrel; means for rotating said revolver about its axis; firing cylinders slidable on said revolver and revolvable with said revolver; means for feeding cart-ridges to initial positions within said frame, the bases of said cartridges being juxtaposed said iiange; a cam track mounted on said frame; and a .cam follower on each of said firing cylinders engaging said track, whereby saidy cylinders when moving with and` about the axis of the revolver are moved successively from forward positions on s-aid revolver to rearward positions and back to said forward positions between said barrel and said breech block, the said cylinders being of such length and at such 'distances from the axis of said revolver that the axis of each cylinder passes through the extended axis of said barrel and the said cylinders fill the spa-ce between the rear face of the barrel and the forward face of said flange.

6. In an automatic firearm' for cartridge ammunition in combination: a main frame; a single barrel mounted in said frame; a breech block mounted in said frame; a revover mounted in said frame, the said revolver including a cylindrical portion having grooves therein and a llange at the rear end of said cylindrical portion, the axis of said revolver being parallel to the axis of said barrel; means for rotating said revolver about its axis; firing cylinders slidable on said revolver and revolvable with said revolver;

means for feeding cartridges to initial positions within said frame,.the bases of said cartridges being juxtaposed said flange; a cam track mounted on said frame; 'a cam; follower on each of said firing cylinders engaging said track, whereby said cylinders when moving with and about the axis of the revolver are moved successively from forward positions on said revolver to rearward positions andback to said forward positions between said barrel and said breech block, the said cylinders being ofsuch length and at such. distances from the axis of said revolver that the axis of each cylinder passes through the extended axis of said barrel and the said cylinders ll the space between the rear face of the barrel and theV forward face of said flange; and means for firing said cartridges when the'axis of individual cylinders are in the extended axis of said barrel.

7. In an automatic firearm for firing cartridge ammunition in combination: a main frame; an ammunition housing mounted on said frame; means for moving said am munition into and through said housing; a barrel mounted in the forward side of said frame; a revolver mounted in the forward and the rear sides of said frame; the axis of said revolver being parallel to the axis of said barrel and the revolver having a circular flange positioned from the rear end of said barrel a distance substantially the length of the cartridges; a plurality of cylindrical ring chambers mounted on and longitudinally slidable on said revolver, the said chambers being substantially the length of the cartridges; means for rotating said revolver and said chambers about the axis of -said revolver; means for moving said chambers longitudinally said revolver from forward position-s to and from rearward positions between said barrel `and said breech block in cyclic relation to the angular rotation of said revolver, whereby said cartridges are successively encompassed by and moved by the cylinders ina plane at right angles to the axis of the barrel; the position of the axis of the barrel in the frame relative to the position of the axis of the revolver and the distance from the axis of the revolver to the axes of the chambers being such that upon rotation of the revolver about its axis, the axis of the chambers pass consecutively through the extended axis of the barrel; and means for firing said cartridge when the said chambers are successively coaxial said barrel.

8. In an automatic firearm for ring cartridge ammunition mounted on belts, in combination: a main frame; an ammunition housing mounted on said frame; means for supporting said belt and moving said belt into, through and out of said housing; a barrel mountedl in the forward side of said frame; a revolver mounted in the' forward and rear sides of said frame, the axis of said revolver belng parallel to the axis of said barrel and the revolver hav- -ing a circular flange positioned from the rear end of said barrel a distance substantially the length of the cartridges;

aplurality of cylindrical firing chambers mounted on and longitudinally slidable on said revolver, the said chambers being substantially the length of the cartridges; means for lrotating said revolver and said chambers about the axis of said revolver; means for moving said chambers longitudinally said revolver from forward positions to and fromv rearward positions between said barrel and said breech block in cyclic relation to the angular rotation of saidl revolver, whereby said cartridges are successively encompassed by Iand moved by the cylinders in 'a plane at right angles to the axis of the barrel; the position of the axis of the barrel in the frame relative to the position of the axis of the revolver land the distance from the axis of the revolver to the axes of the chambers being such that upon rotation of the revolver about its axis, the axis of the chambers pass consecutively through thc extended axis of the barrel; and means for tiring said cartridge when the vsaid chambers are successively coaxial said barrel.

9,. In an automatic firearm for cartridge 4ammunition in combination; a main frame; a barrel mounted in said frame; a revolver mounted in said frame, said revolver having a cylindrical portion with longitudinal grooves therein and a ilange at the rear end of said portion and the axis of said revolver being parallel to the axis of said barrel; tiring cylinders slidable on said revolver and revolvable with said revolver; means for feeding cartridges to initial positions within said frame, the bases of said cartridges being juxtaposed said flange; a power cylinder in pressure communication withl said barrel and a piston slidable therein adapted to be forced in one direction; a spring urging the piston in the other direction; a shaft extending from said piston and having a groove in the surface thereof, the said groove having a spiral portion and a straight axial portion merging thereinto at each end thereof; a stud in the wall of said cylinder engaging said shaft; a gear train between said shaft and said flange, whereby said lange and firing cylinders are rotated about the axis of the revolver by the gases of explosion within said barrel; and a cam on said frame and Acam followers on said firing cylinders whereby angular rotation of said revolver and the ring cylinders about the axis of the revolver causes said firing cylinders to move longitudinally said revolver and successively encompass said cartridges and move said cartridges from said initial positions to positions axial the said barrel.

l0. In an automatic firearm for cartridge ammunition in combination: a main frame; a barrel mounted in said frame; a revolver mounted in said frame, said revolver having a cylindrical portion with longitudinal grooves therein and a flange at the rear end of said portion and the axis of said revolver being parallel to the axis of said barrel; firing cylinders slidable on said revolver and revolvable with said revolver; means for feeding cartridges to initial positions within said frame, the bases of said cartridges being juxtaposed said flange; a power cylinder in pressure communication with said barrel and a piston slidable therein adapted to be forced in one direction; a spring urging the piston in the other direction; a shaft extending from said piston and having a groove in the surface thereof, the said groove having a complete single spiral turn portion and a straight axial portion merging thereinto at each end thereof; a stud in the wall of said cylinder engaging said shaft; a gear train between said shaft and said flange, whereby said flange and firing cylinders are rotated about the axis of the revolver by the gases of explosion within said barrel; a cam on said frame and cam followers on said firing cylinders whereby angular rotation of said revolver and the firing cylinders about the axis of the revolver causes said firing cylinders to move longitudinally said revolver and successively encompass said cartridges and move said cartridges from said initial positions to positions axial the said barrel; and means for ring said cartridges when said cartridges are axial said barrel.

1l. In an automatic firearm for cartridge ammunition in combination: a main frame; a barrel mounted in said frame; a revolver mounted in said frame, said revolver having a cylindrical portion with longitudinal grooves therein and a flange at the rear end of said portion and the axis of said revolver being parallel to the axis of said barrel; ring cylinders slidable on said revolver and revolvable with said revolver; means for feeding cartridges to initial positions within said frame, the bases of said cartridges being juxtaposed said flange; a power cylinder in pressure communication with said barrel and a piston slidable therein adapted to be forced in one direction; a spring urging the piston in the other direction; a shaft extending from said piston and having a groove in the surface thereof, the said groove having a complete single spiral turn portion and a straight axial portion merging thereinto at leach end thereof; a stud in the wall of said cylinder engaging said shaft; a gear train between said shaft and said flange, whereby said flange and firing cylinders are rotated about the axis of the revolver by the gases of explosion within said barrel; a cam on said frame and cam followers on said tiring cylinders whereby angular retains-infiniti rev-diverged the tiring cylinders about "they axis .'of they revolver causes "said tiring jcylinders to move"long"itudin'lly said ,revolver and successivl`y.en compass "said cartridges and move said cartridgesfrom 'said intialposit'ionsto positions .axial the said"barrel;` and ."sprin'g loaded electrical tiring pinsV in said'flange-axi'al said "firing-cylin'clers; a set screw axialsaid barre'hand .means to deliver electric powerto said pin when si'd'iring cylinders are successively axial said barrel.

12. In an automaticdirearm forrcartridgevv ammunition in combination; a main frame; a barrel mounted in said frame; a revolver mounted in-saidf'frama said revolver spring urging the piston in the other direction; a shaft extending from asaidgpiston .andhavng a groove in the surface thereof, the said groove having :a completefsingle spiral turn portion and a straight axial portion merging thereinto at each end thereof; a stud in the wall of said cylinder engaging said shaft; a gear train between said shaft and said ange, whereby said liange and tiring clinders are rotated about the axis of the revolver by the gases of explosion within said barrel; and manual means for moving said shaft in said one direction and said other direction for cooking said firearm by rotating said revolver until a cartridge has been positioned axial said barrel; and a cam on said frame and cam followers on said firing cylinders whereby angular rotation of said revolver and the tiring cylinders about the axis of the revolver causes said firing cylinders to move longitudinally said revolver and successively encompass said cartridges andmove said cartridges from said initial positions to positions axial the said barrel.

13. In an automatic firearm for cartridge ammunition in combination: a main frame; a single barrel mounted in said frame; a breech block mounted in said frame; a revolver mounted in said frame, said revolver having a cylindrical portion with longitudinal grooves therein and a flange at the rear end of said portion and the axis of said revolver being parallel to the axis of said barrel; resilient members in said flange the ends of which protrude beyond the forward face of said flange; means for rotating said revolver about its axis; firing cylinders slidable on said revolver and revolvable with said revolver, the length of the cylinders being substantially the length of said cartridges; means for feeding cartridges to initial positions Within said frame; means for moving said cylinders individually longitudinally said revolver in recurring cycles from a forward position to and from a rearward position between said barrel and said breech block, the rear end of said cylinders in their forward position being juxtaposed the projectile end of said cartridges as said cartridges enter said frame and the said chambers in their rearward positions having their forward faces juxtaposed the rear face of said barrel and the rear ends of said cylinders in contact with said ange, whereby the said resilient members in said flange engage the rear ends of said cartridges and withdraw said cartridges from said cylinders as said cylinders move forward along the said revolver upon their return movements to said forward positions.

14. In an automatic rearm for cartridge ammunition in combination: a main frame; a barrel mounted in said frame; a revolver mounted in said frame, said revolver having a cylindrical portion with longitudinal grooves `therein and a flange at the rear end of said portion and the axis of said revolver being parallel to the axis of said barrel; firing cylinders slidable on said revolver and re- "slidabletherein adapted toibie .forced 'in' 'one "directiom a Vspring.u.rjging"`thefpiston in the Aother direction; ashaft extending fromsaidpston'and having a'groove"in the surface thereof,' 'the "said groove ghaving 'a 'spiral "portion and a straight 'axialportion merging -thereinto 'at each end" thereof; "a 'studin the wall of vsaid cylinder-"engaging said 'shaftg" a rstfgeartrin 'between saidfshaft randsaid flange; wherebysaidiange' an'dring cylindersarerotated "about tthe axis of the revolver `by thei'g'ases 'lof "explosion within said barrel; a second gea/r train between `vsaitl vlilangeandashaft mounted'jon saidframeapair ofi-star wheels-pinioned `tosaid shaft and-adapted to `move'lsaid cartridges from saidfinitial 'positionsin paths f parallel" to lsai-dfflange and expel the cartridge cases from said iframe; and' a` 'carn' 'on'said frame Vand cam' lfollowerson 4ksaidiringcylinders Lwhereby "angular rotation of -`*said rrevlver-andth'e tiring cylinders "about `the axis of the revol-ver causes'-sa-idftring^ cylinders to move longitudinally -sid revolver;andisuccessivlyencompass 'said cartridges and I-rnove' sai'drcartridges from said in'i'tial 'positions to tpositionslaxilftiieesd'barrel. i

TTS. 3i-Inf an iautomat-icl"firearm"for 'cartridge' ammunition supported on belts in combination: a main frame; a barrel mounted in said frame; a revolver mounted in said frame, said revolver having a cylindrical portion with longitudinal grooves therein and a ange at the rear end of said portion and the axis of said revolver being parallel to the axis of said barrel; ring cylinders slidable on said revolver and revolvable with said revolver; means for feeding said cartridge belts to initial positions within said frame, such that the bases of said cartridges become juxtaposed said flange; a power cylinder in pressure communication with said barrel and a. piston slidable therein adapted to be forced in one direction; a spring urging the piston in the other direction; a shaft extending from said piston and having a groove in the surface thereof, the said groove having a spiral portion and a straight axial portion merging thereinto at each end thereof; a stud in the wall of said cylinder engaging said shaft; a rst gear train between said shaft and said flange, whereby said flange and firing cylinders are rotated about the axis of the revolver by the gases of explosion within said barrel; a second gear train between said llange and a shaft mounted on said frame; a pair of star wheels pinioned to said shaft and adapted to move said cartridges on said belt from said initial positions in paths parallel to said ange and expel the tired cartridge cases from said frame; and a cam on said frame and cam followers on said firing cylinders whereby angular rotation of said revolver and tiring cylinders about the axis of the revolver causes said firing cylinders to move longitudinally said revolver and successively encompass said cartridges and move said cartridges from said initial positions to positions axial the said barrel.

16. In an automatic firearm for cartridge belt ammunition in combination: a main frame; a barrel mounted in said frame; a revolver mounted in said frame, said revolver having a cylindrical portion with longitudinal grooves therein and a flange at the rear end of said portion and the axis of said revolver being parallel to the axis of said barrel; firing cylinders slidable on said revolver and revolvable with said revolver; means for feeding cartridges to initial positions within said frame, the bases of said cartridges being juxtaposed said flange; a power cylinder in pressure communication with said barrel and a piston slidable therein adapted to be forced in one direction; a spring urging the piston in the other direction; a shaft extending from said piston and having a groove in the surface thereof, the said groove having a spiral portion and a straight axial portion merging thereinto at each end thereof; a stud in the wall of said cylinder engaging said shaft; a first gear train between said shaft and said flange, whereby said flange and ring cylinders are rotated about the axis of the revolver by the gases of explosion within said barrel; a second gear train between said shaft and a shaft mounted on said frame; a sprocket wheel pinioned to said shaft and adapted to engage said belt to eject said belt from said frame; and a cam on said frame and cam followers on said firing cylinders whereby angular rotation of said revolverand the firing cylinders about the axis of the revolver causes said firing cylinders to move longitudinally said revolver and successively encompass said cartridges and move said cartridges from said initial positions to positions axial the said barrel. V

17. On an automatic firearm for cartridge ammunition in combination: a main frame; a single barrel mounted in the forward side of said frame; a revolver revolvable in said frame and having a flange in direct contact with the rear side of said frame; meansffor moving said cartridges successively to initial positions where'the rear ends of said cartridges are juxtaposed the forward face of said ange; rng cylinders slidable on and revolvable with said revolver, the said cylinders being equal in length to the distance between the rear end of said barrel and the forward face of said ange; means for moving said cylinders axially the firearm from forward positions such that the rear ends of the cylinders are spaced from said flange a distance at least equal to the length of said cartridges to rear positions such that the cylinders are in contact with said flange, whereby the said cylinders upon their rearward movement and their rotational movement with the revolver embrace successively said cartridges and move said cartridges from said -initial positions to positions axial said barrel and in contact with said ange. v

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 179,633 White July 4, 1876 323,997 Allender Aug. 11, 1885 509,091 Mecpuough Nov. 21, 1893 698,472 Driggs Apr. 29, 1902 794,852 Clarke July 18, 1905 1,342,358 Storle June l, 1920 1,424,751 Bangerter Aug. 8, 1922 1,786,207 Hudson Dec. 23, 1930 2,436,175 Neal Feb. 17, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 927,940 France May 19, 1947

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