US2807902A - Cartridge extractors - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 1, 1957 CARTRIDGE ExTRAcToRs Filed April 18. 1954 4/37 FIGI.

R. V.1. KoPF 2,807,902

United sttttts Pattttt ofifitt CARTRIDGE EXTRACTORS Rowland J. Kopf, Rocky River, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Virginia Application April 16, 1954, Serial No. 423,650 7 Claims. (Cl. 42-25) This invention relates generally to cartridge extractors and is `drected more specifically to the provision of an improved claw extractor.

In powder-actuated tools, the explosive energy of a blank cartridge is used to operate the tool, a common application being that of driving a fastener. Although conventional cartridges are employed, frequently the breech pressures are extremely high and, indeed, approach values that would be regarded as proof loads for firearms. Under such conditions, considerable difficulty is encountered in providing for reliable extraction.

In many applications, it is desirable to use a claw extractor, one reason being that this type of extractor is adapted for bolt actions, which inherently possess high strength. Heretofore, such claw extractors have been simple, reslient members or pivoted members springbiased inwardly, the bias being relied upon to hold the claw in engagement with the rim of the case. If the Cartridge case does not slide readily from the chamber, however, this bias may be inadequate to prevent the claw from pulling over the rim of the case.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide improved extracting mechanism of simple, inexpensive, but rugged, construction for powder-actuated tools and other apparatus utilizing high-powered cartridges. Among the more specific objects of the invention will be noted the provision of an extractor that is readily assembled and replaced; the provision of an extractor that automatically engages behind the rim of a Cartridge upon closure of the breech; and the provision of an extractor that is positively locked to the Cartridge rim during opening of the breech.

Briefly, the extractor herein disclosed is adapte'd to be mounted upon a breech block or bolt which is opened axially. T'he extractor is a rigid, fioating member carried on the bolt and mounted for relative movement axially between predctermined advanced and retracted positions. While the extractor is radially displaceable and includes a claw which rides over and engages behind the rim of the case upon forward movement of the bolt and extractor, such radial displacement is permitted only when the extractor is in its retracted position. The bolt includes an outer ledge cooperating with the front portion of the extractor to lock it against radial displacement when in advanced position relative to the bolt. Otherwise, the bolt may carry an encircling spring element which engages the outer face of the extractor, thereby to permit lateral displacement of the extractor as the claw rides over the rim of the case and to force the claw into locking engagement with the rim as the breech is closed with the extractor in its retracted position. The tail or rear portion of the extractor is shaped to permit such tipping or radial displacement of the claw when the extractor is in its retracted position relative to the bolt.

Other features of the invention will be in part apparent from and in part pointed out in the following de- 2,807,902` Patented Oct. 1, 1957 tail description taken in connection with the accompanying `drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view illustrating 'parts of a powderactuated tool embodying this invention, the breech being open;

Fig. 2 is an oblique detail view, portions of the bolt being cut away to expose the breech of the barrel;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1, but showing the positions of parts as the breech is closed;

Fig. 4 is a view sirnilar to that of Fig. 1, but with the breech closed; p

Fig. 5 is a view sirnilar to that of Fig. Il, showing positions of parts as the breech is opened; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention.

As an exemplary application of the invention, in Fig. l there is shown a powder-actuated tool used to drive a fastening element 1 into material, such as concrete, which is otherwise difficult to penetrate. A barrel assembly 3 and a receiver assembly generally designated 5 are arranged to be broken for breech loading. In the barrel assembly 3, there is a barrel 7 which is mounted for axial movement within a housing 9. A breech block or bolt 11 is mounted within a receiver 13, an'd the bolt is recessed or counterbored at 15 to receive the breech of the barrel in telescoping relationship after insertion of a Cartridge 17.

Fig. l illustrates an unlocked breech type of construction, but it should be understood that safety devices could be provided to prevent the tool from being fired with the breech open. For example, in the copending application Serial No. 335,034, filed May 14, 1953, an'd now abandoned, of which I am a joint inventor, there is disclosed mechanism which prevents the tool from being fired without first pressing the muzzle 19 of the barrel against the work surface. When pressure is applied to the tool, the barrel 7 is moved rear'wardly within its housing 9 into closing engagement with the bolt 11, the bolt 11 then being carried back to release the safety and arm the tool. The details of such Safety mechanism do not form a part of this invention, hence are not disclosed.

In the above-mentioned application, a removable breech plug is recessed within the barrel to hold the Cartridge case. After firing, this plugtis removed from the barrel and pressed over a stud to eject the spent shell. In reloading, the plug is reinserted and a Cartridge loaded, but such extracting and loa'ding procedures are necessarily time-consurning, hence the desirability of providing an extractor. Extractors as heretofore known, however, are not suited for the heavy service to which :a powder-actuated tool is put.

The mechanism disclosed herein includes a rigid claw extractor element 21, which fioats within a recess 23 milled in the outer portion of the bolt. The front wall 25 of this recess is located back from the front 27 of the bolt but is located forwardly of the bottom 29 of the counterbore 15, an opening thus being provided into the counterbore. A claw 31 formed at the forward end of the extractor enters the counterbore through this opening, and a recess 33 is milled in the breech of the barrel 7 to accommodate the claw 31 when the breech is closed. This claw is rounded to ride over and engage behind the rim of the case as the breech is closed.

As shown in Fig. 1, the extractor 21 is of a longitudinal dimension slightly less than that of the recess 23, and tapers in a forward direction. At its forward end above the claw 31, a shoulder 35 is formed in alignment with the wall of the counterbore 15 so that the extractor is movable relative to the bolt between advanced and retracted positions. In its retracted position, the extractor is radially displaceable as the claw rides over the rim 3 i of the case; and in its advanced position, the shoulder 35 locks under the shoulder 25 of the bolt, thereby preventing radial. displacement of the claw.

` lMovemento'between advanced and retracted positions is limited by engagement of thelextractor 21with, the front and :rear-walls of the recess 23. *The tail or rear portion'f36 of the extractor is canted, however,rso that the extractor may tip or pivot back as the claw rides over the rim of the case. It is also desirable to provide extractor biasing means in the form of` a split ring 39, which is iecessedwithin. a groove 37 encircling the bolt.

i 'This ring engages-the outer face 41Vof the extractor so .thatthe extractoris .biased inwardly and will engage behind the rim of the case as the bolt is closed. In closing the'bolt','the-extractor'is forced rearwardlyV to its retracted position by initial engagement with the Cartridge case, and the spring member 39 yields to permit the claw 31 7to 'ride Vover the rim.

I Thev outer face 417of the extractor may be tapered forwardly, as illustrated, so as to develop a wedging cooperation with the spring element 39, which also limits forward ,movement of the extractor within its recess and to some extent prevents radial displacement of the extractor when in its advanced position.

' 'fIn operation,4 the Cartridge 17 is loaded with the tool broken. The receiver barrel assembly 2 is then swung into alignmentV with the receiver assembly 5 and connected thereto by suitable means (not shown), so that Vthe barrel 7 is aligned with the counterbore 15- of the bolt. When 'pressure is then applied t-o the muzzle 19 of therbarrel,

the breech portion of the barrel telescopes within the counterbore 15 to close the breech. As the breech is closed, the extractor is moved to' its retracted position .and rides over the rim of the case, as' shown in Fig. 37.

When the breech is closed and the tool armed, the extractor'isengaged behind the r'im of the case, as shown in lFig.4.

Subs'equently, as the breech is opened, the extractor is Vmoved to its advanced position by the inherent resistance'of the ,case to extraction (Fig. 5). In moving to its advanced position, the vshoulder 35 'of the extractor engages beneath lthe Vinnerrwall of the'bolt and the extractor becomes4 positively 'locked against radial displacement; Beinglocked, Vthe clawcannot slip over the rim should the case tend to stick .in the chamber.

' 'In the embodiment of-Figs. 1-5, the recess 33 in the barrel would be) maintained "in alignment with the extractor, -as by splines (not shown). In some instances, it maybe desi'rable -toprovide for a locked breech type of construco '-tion. Referring to Fig. 67; the barrel is provided with locking 'lugs 51, which'engage with similar lugs 53 on the bolt upon relative rotation. In 'this instance, however, provision must be made Vfor rotary movement of the extractor relative'to `the bolt or 'barreL' To that end, either the recess 33 in the barrel may be widened, as Vshown in Fig. 6, or the recess 23 in the bolt may be widened in a similar manner, so that the extractor may move radially. Also, instead of the tail 136 of the extractor being canted, the back 138 of the recess 35 may slope rearwardly as shown in Fig. 6.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the extractor dis'closed provides for a positive locking engagement with the rim of a Cartridge, yet the structure is simple in construction and troublefree in operation. Although several embodiments haverbeen disclsed -in detail, it is to be understoodethat the invention is not limited thereto, but thedrawings and Vdescription thereof are to be understood as being merely illustrative. It is realized ,that many modifications and variations will present themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit Vof ,this invention or the scope thereof as set forth infthe appended claims.v

Having thus described the invention, what is Claimed and desirerdto besecured by Letters Patent is:

1. 'In cartridge-firing apparatus having a barrel for receiving a cartridge, a breech block mounted for axial movement relative to the barrel, and an extractor carried o by the breech block; the improvement that comprises said extractor being guided for movement relative to the breech block in a directin parallel to the axis of the barrel, a first stop formed on the breech block to limit rearward movement of the extractor relative to the breech block, said extractor having 'a 'forwardly-disposed claw shaped to ride over the rim of arcartridge with the extractor Vengaged against said first stop as thei'breech is closedy.

sprin g means for biasing the claw radially inward into gripping engagement with the rim, a Vsecond stop formed on the breech block to limit forward movement of the extractor relative to the breech lock, and said breech blockbeing formed with inwardly-facing shoulder means which Vlocks the claw Vof the extractor in gripping engagement with the rim only Vwhen the extractor is engaged against said second stop, said extractor beingmovable'fromith'e first to the vsecond stop with the clawrin gripping engagement with the rim. I o i i 2. In cartridge-firing apparatushaving a -barrel for r'eceiving .a Cartridge, a breech block mounted foraxial movement relative to the barrel, and an extractor carriedV by the breech block; the improvement that comprises said Vbreech block being formed with a guide slot, said extractor `being received in said slot for movement in a direction parallel to the axis of the barrel between front and rear positions relative to the Vbreech block, said slot terminating in a rearV stop having a pivotal Cooperation with the 'tail of the. extractor, said extractor having an integral forwardly-disposed' claw VshapedV to ride over the rim of a V-cartridgewith the tail of the extractor engaged against said rearstopras the zbreech' is closed, spring means biasing the claw portion of the extractor` radially inward intorgripping engagement with the rim, saidV guideA slot in part terminating in a forwardV stop cooperable withthe extractor and vbeing4 for-med with an 'inwardly-facing shoulder cooperable withvapart Vof Vthe extractor when the extractor 'is in-its front position said shoulderbeing adapted .to'lock the claw in grippingV engagement with i the rim-onlyrwhen the extractor is in'its front position,

,said 'extratcorzbeing movable in'i'tsV guide `slot VfromV the rearrto't-he forward stop with the claw in gripping engagement'withl thefrim. v o ,i v3.-Appara-t-us as set forth m claim 2, wherein the vstantial ;thickness en'circlingrthe breech block and in part o engaging' :said extractor. i i

5. 4Apparatus as set Iforth in :claim 4, wherein the'outer face of :said extractor tapers Vinwardly in a forward direction," thereby to develop aiwedging Cooperation with i said ringupo'n forward movement'of l.the extractorV relative to'zthelbreechvblockrj r 6. 'Apparatus as set forth in :claimV 5,' 'wherein said V Vri'ngis` recessed within .a'fgroovelencircling the breech' block; 'saidbreechg block being 'contained in 'an encircling honsing wh`i`ch limits outward'displacemcnt ,of said ring.

' 7,..Appa'ratu's `asset'tforthlin claim 2, Vwhere-in 'said slot -terminates in` aliack'7 wall -forming said Vrear stop, said ;backV wallland ;the `.tail portionoftsaid extractorV being substant'ially dive'rgent'frorn v:onezanotherin an outward direction, thereby to permit'said vextractor to tip backv wardly within said slot'v 's1the"c1aw. ridesV over the rim ofthe'rcartiidge case.: e

(References Von following page) i 5 References Cited in the file of this patent l,041,410 UNITED sTATEs PATENTS 1101336 410,621 Weatherby Sept. 10, 1889 580,935 Ehbets Apr. 20, 1897 r' 617 142 804,699 Benet et al Nov. 14, 1905 y 6 Benet et al. Oct. 15, 1912 Burton Dec. 7, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Feb. 1, 1949

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