US3540345A - Ammunition feed for a machine gun - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent Baron C. Wolfe I'.0. Boa X, Eureka, California 95501 (21 Appl. No. 734,773

[22] Filed June 5, 1968 [45] Patented Nov. 17, 1970 [72] Inventor [54] AMMUNITION FEED FOR A MACHINE GUN 2 Claims. 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] 1.1.8. 89/13, 89/33 [51] lnt.Cl Fdld 7/04 [50] I-leldotSeareh.... 89/13, 155,

as. ass/1c. 33.16, 33.25

Primary Examiner- Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-Stephen C. Bentley Attorney-Townsend and Townsend ABSTRACT: A rapid fire machine gun for firing rounds of ammunition having no casing enclosing the propellant charge. The weapon has a chamber apparatus including first and second rotating cylinders, each including complementary chamber defining segments or recesses for defining in rapid sequence successive firing chambers for belted ammunition. These cylinders are intercoupled and rotated with their respective peripheries immediately adjoining and form chambers in registry behind the weapon bore at their respective chamber-defining segments in the periphery of each cylinder. A belt or membrane having a series of ammunition rounds spaced in preselected side-by-side relation is fed and compressively gripped between the two rotating cylinders, each round sequentially gripped between the paired segments. When the cylinders are rotatably positioned with a pair of chamber segments in registry behind the bore, the propeliant charge contained in the space between such segments is fired. The rate of firing is established by the rate of rotation of the cylinders; a motor is provided for driving the cylinders at any desired rate.

Patented Nov. 17, 1970 Shoat INVENTOR. BARON C. WOLFE ATTOR N EYS AMMUNITION FEED FOR A MACHINE GUN This invention relates to machine guns and is exemplified by a machine gun which utilizes belted ammunition without a heavy and bulky casing.

Gonventional rounds of small arms ammunition comprise a projectile, a propellant charge, and a relatively heavy and bulky casing for holding the projectile and maintaining the propellant charge immediately behind the projectile.

Automatic weapons and machine guns utilizing conventional ammunition are limited by the weight of such ammunition which can be practically transported to and with the weapon. When such weapons are used, either in aircraft or in remote infantry outposts, the weight of this conventional ammunition limits the number of conventional rounds which can be practically transported to and used with such weapons.

Accordingly, the present invention has for its principal object an automatic weapon which can utilize rounds of belted ammunition without the conventional heavy and bulky casing. The disclosed weapon includes a chamber defining apparatus for enclosing an exploding propellant charge without the necessity of a conventional shell casing. This chamber defining apparatus includes two cylinders mounted for rotation with their respective peripheries defining complementary chamber segments or recesses. These cylinders are synchronously rotated by intercoupling gears so as to register the complementary chamber segments at a firing axis directly behind the bore. A belt or membrane is provided having affixed thereto in side-by-side spaced relation a plurality of projectiles, each projectile with an unencased propellant charge. This membrane is fed between the cylinders. As the cylinders are rotated, the projectiles and following propellant charges are gripped between the rotating cylinders at the chamber seg ments and fully enclosed within a chamber at a firing axis immediately behind the bore. When so positioned, ignition of the propellant charge causes the projectile to be fired through the bore.

An advantage of the disclosed weapon is that the chamber segments register with one another in rapid sequence as the cylinders synchronously rotate so as to define a series of enclosed firing chambers behind the bore. This rapid sequence of successive firing chambers formed in registry behind the bore permits such a weapon to be fired at high firing rates up to about 2,500 rounds per minute.

An additional feature ofthis invention is that the successive rounds of ammunition are all interconnected by a belt comprising a flexible and compressible membrane. This membrane serves not only to establish a predetermined spacial relation between the adjoining rounds so they can be conveniently fed to the rapid firing weapon but simultaneously forms a gasket perfecting the seal of the defined chamber wherein each round is fired. Typically, the membrane interconnecting the charges is fed between the rotating cylinders. When the respective chamber-defining segments are registered with the round enclosed therein, the membrane is comprcssively gripped at the peripheries of the rotating cylinders adjoining the propellant charge. As compressively gripped, the membrane forms a gasket between the respective segments of the firing chamber enabling the entire explosive force of the propellant charge to be directed outwardly through the bore of the machine gun for propelling the projectile.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective ofa machine gun according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an expanded plan view of the belted ammunition utilized with the present invention specifically illustrating placement of the uncased propellant charges and primers with respect to the projectile;

FIG. 3 is an expanded side elevation of the chamber mechanism specifically illustrating the side-by-side relation of the paired and rotating cylinders and registry of the defined chamber segments thereon;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation section along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 illustrating the registry of the cylinder defined chamber segments for forming the firing chamber;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation section along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 illustrating a firing chamber in section with a round of ammunition shown enclosed therein.

With reference to FIG. I, belted ammunition A is drawn toward chamber mechanism C behind barrel 8. When fired ammunition A is fed between paired rotating cylinders D of chamber mechanism C. These cylinders each have a plurality of chamber segments or recesses E about the periphery, which chamber segments sequentially register encasing each round of belted ammunition A. When registered, the propellant charge of each sequentially successive round of ammunition is detonated. in rapid sequence.

With reference to FIG. 2, a representative segment of belted ammunition A is shown in plan view. Strip l4 typically composed of Mylar or Teflon, interconnects a plurality of rounds 15 in preselected side-by-side relation. Each round l5 comprises a projectile l6 and following unencased propellant charge I7. Typically, projectile I6 and the following propellant charge 17 are affixed to strip 14 and encompassed by a thin layer of the same material from which strip 14 is fabricated. This membrane layer serves to fasten the propellant charge securely together in their preselected position on the strip I4. A primer or igniter I8 is affixed along the round axis I9 behind the propellant charge 17. Primer I8 is typically composed of a niter or mercury fulminate.

Strip I4 has a series of perforations or sprocket holes 20 extending longitudinally the length thereof. As will hereinafter become apparent, these perforations engage gearing adjoining the rotating cylinders D and effect registered engagement of the ammunition rounds I6 within the sequentially defined chambers formed between paired cylinders D.

Barrel B comprises a standard gun barrel 22 having a bore 23 defined therein. Barrel B is fastened to block 25 of chamber mechanism C by means of barrel lock 27 shown in the engaged position in broken lines in FIG. 3.

Barrel lock 27 effects fastening of barrel 8 to chamber mechanism C by a barrel keyway 28 defined in barrel B and a mating locking key 29 inserted within fastening aperture 30.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, barrel B has at its end adjoining chamber mechanism C cylindrical locking plug 32. As is apparent, locking plug 32 extends outwardly from the tapered barrel skirt 35 and has a block adjoining flange 36 extending between the chamber adjoining portion of the barrel and locking plug 32.

Plug 32 has defined circumferentially therein barrel keyway 28. This keyway is located a preselected distance from flange 36 and provides the member by which the barrel 8 is grasped by key 29 to maintain its fastened position to block 25.

Block 25 has a tapering curvature 38 which extends from the top, side and bottom in a streamline configuration to barrel adjoining flange 39. Flange 39 is configured to mate and adjoin flange 36 and consequently has a circular flat area corresponding to that area defined by flange 36, Defined within block 25 and extending inwardly from flange 39, there is locking bore 33. Locking bore 33 has an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of locking plug 32 and consequently permits the plug to be inserted interiorly thereof.

Block 25 adjoining locking bore 33 has configured therein key-retaining apertures 30. Typically, apertures 30 are bored from the upper portion of block 25 downwardly through the spacial interval defined by bore 33 into the bottom front section of block 25 terminating at point 42 below bore 33. Typically, there are two such apertures 34, one on each side of blocking plug 32 of barrel B it being noted that FIGS. I and 3 only show one such aperture). Locking key 29 fits interiorly of apertures 30 and accordingly is fabricated from a steel rod 45 having an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of apertures 30. Typically, rod 45 is fabricated with two linear and downwardly extending key shafts 46, which shafts function to penetrate interiorly of fastening apertures 30 when key 29 is inserted therein.

Barrel B fastens to block C by having blocking plug 32 inserted interior of locking bore 33 of block 25. Thereafter. key 29 is inserted at shafts 46 interior of paired fastening apertures 30. When shafts 46 pass through bore 33. they mate with keyway 28 in plug 32 effecting a firm and fastened engagement of barrel B to chamber mechanism C.

Block 25 functions integrally with chamber mechanism to effect fastening of paired chamber cylinders D. To this end block 25 defines a chamber recess 50 for receiving paired rotating cylinders D. As is apparent, recess 50 is here shown as a rectangular aperture extending through block D normal to the axis of barrel B.

Chamber recess 50 is cross bored at upper cylinder shaft aperture 52 and lower cylinder shaft aperture 53. These respective apertures extend from butt-adjoining surface 55 at the rearward portion of block 25 across chamber recess 50 into the forward section of block 25 terminating at respective points 57 and 58. As extending from surface 55 to their respective points of termination 57 and 58, shaft apertures 52 and 53 are each given a length to accommodate therein upper and lower cylinder shafts 60 and 61.

Cylinder shafts 60 and M effect fastening of paired cylinders D interior ofchamber recess 50. As can be seen in the exploded view of HG. l, upper chamber cylinder 63 has defined concentrically and axially the length thereof cylinder shaft bore 64. Similarly. lower chamber cylinder 65 has a cylinder shaft bore 66. As will hereinafter become apparent. cylinders 63 and 65 are inserted interior of recess 50 and thereafter held in adjoining rotational position by shafts 60 and 6l extending through cylinder shaft apertures 52 and 53 across recess 50.

Paired cylinders D each comprise solid metallic cylinders having confronting peripheries 68. These peripheries 68 are circular in section and extend from a forward recess wall hearing surface 70 rearwardly where they terminate at rear chamber cylinder surfaces 71.

Each cylinder has configured therein a plurality of chamber segments E. Referring to the section of FIG. 4, it can be seen that each chamber segment E defines a semicylindrical chamber surface 73 in periphery 68 of each cylinder. Surface 73 is generated by boring each cylinder with a semicylindrical indentation from forward recess wall bearing surface 70 rearwardly along a cylindrical on periphery 68. As is apparent, each chamber segment E terminates at a point 77 a distance removed from forward recess wall bearing surface 70 sufficient to accommodate therein round 15.

With reference to FIG. 4, it will be noted that each of the cylinders 63 and 65 there depicted has configured therein eight chamber segments E, each segment being separated by angles of 45. These equal angular configurations permit paired chamber cylinders D to synchronously rotate at equal angular speeds and register their respective chamber segments E in rapid sequence.

Paired cylinders D are additionally provided with a perforation engaging sprockets 80 for gripping strip 14 at perforations 20 and effecting feeding of rounds 16 into chamber segments E. Sprocket 80 comprises a notch 81 cut in the contacting periphery 68 of upper chamber cylinder 63. Notch 81 extends around the entire periphery 68 of cylinder 63 behind chamber segments E and has a depth sufficient to accommodate teeth 82 on lower chamber cylinder 65.

Teeth 82 of lower chamber cylinder 65 are spaced on periphery 68 thereof a distance apart where they can mate with perforations or sprocket holes 20 of strip 14. As mating with perforations 20, teeth 82 extend through the perforations and into gearing notch 81. As the cylinders are synchronously rotated, this interengagement of the teeth 82 with the perforations 20 effects a positive engagement between strip l4 and the rounds contained thereon with the rotating cylinders and assures registry of the rounds with the registered chamber segments E.

With brief reference to FIG. I, it will be seen that upper chamber cylinder 63 has affixed thereto a protruding drive gear 86. Gear 86 receives the power drive for chamber mechanism C from a motor 88 shown in broken lines housed within weapon stock 89. Drive gear 86 is engaged by motor gear 90 extending through a motor gear aperture 9| extending from the butt-adjoining surface 55 of block 15 into chamber recess 50.

When upper chamber cylinder 63 receives a rotating force through drive gear 86, it is necessary that such rotational force be imparted to lower chamber cylinder 65. To this end the respective cylinders are rotationally intercouplcd by an inter locking gearing 93. Gearing 93 comprises semispherical apertures 94 within contacting periphery 68 of upper chamber cylinder 63 and complementary scmisrflierical gear teeth 95 protruding above periphery 68 of lower chamber cylinder 65. As is shown specially in the side elevation of FIG. 3, gear apertures 94 and gear teeth 95 cooperatively engage one another when cylinders 63 and 65 are conjoined interior of block 25 to effect coupled rotation of paired cylinders D.

To assure a snug fit of paired rotating cylinders D within chamber recess 50, each cylinder has configured therein a flat forward wall bearing surface 70 which fits snugly and slidnbly over forward recess wall 97. Similarly, each cylinder has at the opposite end thereof a rear recess wall bearing surface 98 which fits slidably over rear recess wall 99 of recess 50 and assures a snug placement of the respective cylinders between walls 97 and 99. Wall 98 of upper chamber cylinder 63 is placed on the rearward section ofdrive gear 86. Similarly, wall bearing surface 98 of lower chamber cylinder 65 is placed at the end of a cylindrical plug 100 protruding from that end of cylinder 65 adjoining interlocking gears 93. Plug I00 has a diameter sufficiently less than periphery 68 of lower cylinder 65 so as to avoid interference with motor gear 90 when this gear is driving paired rotating cylinders D.

Returning to FIG. i, the remaining components of the automatic weapon illustrated herein may be briefly described and thereafter the assembly of the disclosed automatic weapon readily understood.

Weapon stock 89 is here shown having a configuration suitable for a tripod-mounted automatic weapon (the tripod not being shown). Stock 89 contains therein motor 88, which motor may be powered by electricity. fluid pressure or other alternate sources. Typically, motor 88 is controlled by a trigger 102 so that upon pulling of the trigger, rotation of motor gear 90 is effected.

Stock 89 has bored therein paired screw receiving apertures [04. These apertures extend through stock 89 and motor 88 so as to permit paired allen screws I05 and 106 to fasten block 25 to stock 89.

Complementing screw-receiving apertures 104 there are configured in butt-adjoining surface 55 of block 25 threaded screw-receiving apertures 107. These apertures permit allen screws [05 to engage therewith fastening stock 89 to block 25.

Ammunition A is stored in a conventional magazine box 108, which box typically contains belted ammunition A folded interiorly thereof. Box 108 has an opening 109 for permitting the belted ammunition A to pass outwardly thereof. Opening I09 is rectangular in shape and has a top-mounting flange 110 extending over and outwardly from opening I09. Along the sides of rectangular opening 109 there are paired side-mounting flanges H], which flanges serve to affix magazine box 108 to magazine flash guard 112. t

A magazine flash guard effects mounting of magazine box 108 to block 25. Flash guard I12 includes an inwardly extending rectangular cavity H4 which has a dimension in side elevation slightly less than the rectangularly shaped aperture of chamber recess 50. Extending from the bottom and top of cavity 114, there are flash guard flanges US, which flanges extend vertically from the top and bottom of cavity 114 to the middle thereof and flair outwardly of flash guard "2 interior of recess 50. Flanges 115 have a spatial separation permitting the passage of ammunition A therebetwcen while simultaneously protecting unexpended rounds from any detonation.

In attachment to block 25, magazine flash guard [I2 is held interior of recess 50 by screw 106 at threaded screw aperture 116. When flash guard II2 is affixed to block 25, magazine box I08 may be mounted thereon by having side-mounting flanges ll] of the magazine engage side-mounting flash guard flanges II8 of the flash guard. Typically, the bottom portion of magazine flanges III is inserted at the top portion of flash guard flanges IIB. Thereafter, magazine box 108 is lowered with respect to flash guard ll2 until top-mounting flange IIO of the magazine contacts the top portion of flash guard I12.

Opposite flash guard I12 there is a second flash guard I20. Flash guard 120 fits interiorly of recess 50 and is attached thereto at threaded fastening aperture I2I. This second flash guard I has a rectangular configuration slightly less than that of recess 50 and has a downwardly deflecting surface I23 which directs downwardly the remnants of strip I4 after the rounds I5 are fired interior of chamber mechanism C. To attain optimum stabilization of the weapon during firing, barrel B is typically gripped by a handle I25 slipped over the barrel end.

Assembly of the disclosed weapon is accomplished by first fastening barrel B to chamber mechanism C by means of the lock key 29. Thereafter, rotating cylinders B are positioned interior of recess 50 and affixed in their rotating relation by shafts 60 and 6I being inserted through apertures 52 and 53 cross-bored in block 25. Thereafter, stock 89 is adjoined to butt-adjoining surface 55 ofblock 25 and allen screws I05 and I06 inserted interconnecting stock 89 in block 25. The surface of stock 89 that bears against surface 55 retains shafts 60 and 6! in place against axial movement. Before final tightening of screws I05 and 106, flash guards I12 and I20 are insertcd interior of recess 50 and affixed therein by the end of screws 105 and 106 engaging threaded apertures I21 on flash guard 120 and I16 on flash guard II2 respectively.

The principles of the firing can be easily understood. Referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that upper cylinder shaft 60 and lower cylinder shaft 61 are separated so that the respective peripheries 68 confront one another along a plane interconnecting the axes ofthe shafts. As confronting at these peripheries, the respective chamber segments E of each cylinder define a firing chamber immediately aligned with a firing axis I27 extending through bore 23 of barrel 8 (this axis being shown in the side elevation section of FIG. 5).

Top cylinder 63 and bottom cylinder 65 are intercoupled in rotation by means of gears 93 on the respective cylinders. As placed interior of recess 50. gears 93 are engaged so as to register chamber segments E on the periphery of the chamber cylinders 63 and 65 at firing axis I27. When firing is desired, tape I4 is fed between paired rotating cylinders D and a round l6 engaged with the first formed chamber. Thereafter, the cylinders are rotated impelling the successive rounds between the defined cylinder segments E on each of the respective cylinders until the round reaches a position on axis I27. As positioned on axis I27, tape 14, fabricated from a compressible material such as Mylar or Teflon, is compressed by the confronting peripheries 68 of cylinders 63 and 65 where these peripheries adjoin the chamber defining segments. forming a gasket about the chamber.

Simultaneous with the registry ofa round I5 at axis 127, the confronting peripheries 68 of cylinders 63 and 65 immediately behind recesses E compress primer [8. As compressed, primer I8 ignites propellant charge 17 and thereafter expels projectile I5 outwardly through bore 23 of barrel B.

Tape or membrane I4 is chosen with a thickness which complements the clearance between the respective rotating cylinders D. Typically, for a 22 caliber projectile, the clearance between the respective confronting peripheries of the paired cylinders will be less than 0.003 inches with the tape approximately 0.004 inches thick and the rotating cylinders approximately 1% inches in diameter. Similarly, primer I8 has a configuration which will attain compression ignition between rotating cylinders B when contacted with maximum force between peripheries 68 of paired rotating cylinders.

It should be obvious to the reader that other conventional methods of igniting primer I8 could well be employed with this weapon. For example, primer I8 could be detonated by an electric current when registry with firing axis 127 is effected. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the disclosed weapon may just as easily be mounted in an aircraft, in which case stock 89 and handle I25 could be omitted. Finally, it will be understood that the foregoing has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it being understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the inven tion.

Iclaim:

l. A rapid fire mechanism comprising: a barrel defining along a firing axis a bore for receiving projectile discharged with said weapon; first and second cylinders mounted for rotation with their respective peripheries confronting along said firing axis immediately behind said bore; said cylinders each defining at least one complementary chamber segment extending along the periphery of each said cylinders to the respective ends thereof adjacent said bores; a round of ammunition comprising a projectile and following propellant charge; a compressible membrane having said round of ammunition affixed thereto; means for synchronously rotating said cylinders for registering the chamber segments of each said cylinder at said firing axis; means for compressively feeding said membrane between said rotating cylinders and registering said round within said chamber segments at said firing axis and, a primer charge affixed to said compressible membrane adjacent said propellant; said primer charge being oriented with respect to said propellant for compression ignition by said cylinders when said chamber segments are in registry.

2. Apparatus for detonation of a plurality of belt-attached projectiles, said apparatus comprising: first and second rotatable cylinders, each said cylinder having at least one complementary chamber defining segment extending along the periphery of said cylinder to one end thereof; means for synchronously rotating said cylinders to register and confront said complementary chamber defining segments at a firing axis between said respective cylinders; a plurality of rounds of ammunition, each round comprising a projectile and following propellant charge; a compressible membrane having said rounds ofammunition affixed thereto; means on said cylinders for compressihly gripping said membranes on either side of said segments when said segments are registered and confronted with a round therein, whereby said firing chamber is defined by said first chamber segment, said second chamber segment and said membrane compressibly gripped therebetween; a primer charge is affixed to said compressible membrane adjacent said propellant; said primer charge oriented with respect to said propellant for compression ignition by said cylinders when said chamber segments are in registry.

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