US3805702A

US3805702A - Detachable connection between a projectile and a propellant-charge case

Info

Publication number: US3805702A
Application number: US00338894A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Voss; H Kroschel; M Strunk
Original assignee: Dynamit Nobel AG
Current assignee: Dynamit Nobel AG
Priority date: 1972-03-07
Filing date: 1973-03-07
Publication date: 1974-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-23
Also published as: FR2220768A1; SE385404B; FR2220768B1; NO133289B; GB1383135A; NL7303202A; IT979712B; DE2232866C3; DE2232866B2; DE2232866A1; NO133289C; BE796400A

Abstract

A detachable connection between a projectile and a propellantcharge case for cartridge-encased ammunition adapted to be fired from a gun barrel. The propellant-charge case is provided at the front end zone with at least one recess receiving a locking element radially displaceable between inner and outer end positions. The element in the outer end position projects outwardly of the propellant-charge case to an extent sufficient to prevent complete introduction of the propellant-charge case into the gun barrel and is supported in this position by a movable blocking member which is displaceable against the force of a spring toward the rear of the propellant-charge case. The projectile which is to be connected with the propellant-charge case is provided with a tail portion arranged for contacting the blocking member and to displace the blocking member toward the rear. The tail portion is also provided with a recess adapted to be engaged by the locking element upon displacement of the blocking member such that the locking element assumes the inner end position connecting the projectile and the propellant charge case and permitting introduction of the flush connection of the projectile and the propellant-charge case into the gun barrel for support therein.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Voss et al.

[451 Apr. 23, 1974 DETACHABLE CONNECTION BETWEEN A PROJECTILE AND A PROPELLANT-CHARGE CASE [75] Inventors: Alfred Voss, Cologne; Heinz Kroschel; Manfred Strunk, both of Troisdorf, Germany [73] Assignee: Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft,

Troisdorf, Germany 22 Filed: Mar. 7, 1973 211 App]. No.: 338,894

[52] US. Cl. 102/38, 102/49.1

[5 l] Int. Cl. F42b 13/00, F42b 13/22 [58] Field of Search 102/93, 38, 49.1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,993,444 7/1961 Hablutzel 102/93 2,998,778 9/1961 Hablutzel 102/93 2,998,779 9/1961 MacRoberts 102/93 2,998,780 9/1961 Anspacher et al.... 102/93 3,100,448 8/1963 Hablutzel 102/93 3,359,905 12/1967 Engel 102/93 2,529,504 11/1950 Kroeger et a1. 102/38 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 3/1966 Great Britain Primary Examiner-Leland A. Sebastian Attorney, Agent, or FirmCraig and Antonelli [57] ABSTRACT A detachable connection between a projectile and a propellant-charge case for cartridge-encased ammunition adapted to be fired from a gun barrel. The propellant-charge case is provided at the front end zone with at least one recess receiving a locking element radially displaceable between inner and outer end positions. The element in the outer end position projects outwardly of the propellant-charge case to an extent sufficient to prevent complete introduction of the propellant-charge case into the gun barrel and is supported in this position by a movable blocking member which is displaceable against the force of a spring toward the rear of the propellant-charge case. The projectile which is to be connected with the propellant-charge case is provided with a tail portion arranged for contacting the blocking member and to displace the blocking member toward the rear. The tail portion is also provided with a recess adapted to be engaged by the locking element upon displacement of the blocking member such that the locking element assumes the inner end position connecting the projectile and the propellant charge case and permitting introduction of the flush connection of the projectile and the propellant-charge case into the gun barrel for support therein.

45 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR23 m4 3805702 SHEET 3 BF 3 FIG. 50

FIG. 5b

H I ll 31 r M h o 5 FM Mi FIG 6 DETACHABLE CONNECTION BETWEEN A PROJECTILE AND A PROPELLANT-CHARGE CASE The present invention relates to a detachable connection between a projectile and a propellant-charge case for cartridge-encased ammunition to be shot from the barrel of a gun.

A characterizing feature of cartridge-encased ammunition is the connection of the projectile and the propellant charge. This connection can be fixed or detachable. However, in the latter case, there must be the assurance that the connection, produced mostly by hand, is so firm that it is not released when loading the ammunition or during the transporting of the loaded gun. Normally, the detachable connections are screw or plug connections. In such couplings, there is the danger that the threading or plugging step is not carried out entirely whereby a firm connection is not provided so that detachment is possible, for example, by vibration or impact. In practice, accidents have happened repeatedly because of such faulty connections or because several propellant charges were simultaneously introduced into the gun by mistake.

it is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional detachable connections.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a safety coupling which permits the introduction of the ammunition into the barrel of the gun only if the connection between the projectile and propellantcharge case has been flawlessly executed.

According to a feature of the present invention, the propellant-charge case, in the zone of its front end is provided with at least one locking element guided in a recess and being radially displaceable between an outer and an inner end position. The locking element projects, in the outer end position, from the propellantcharge case to such an extent that it prevents the further introduction of the propellent-charge case into the gun barrel and is detained in the outer end position by resting on the inside on a blocking member arranged within the propellant-charge case. The blocking member is axially rearwardly displaceable against the force ofa spring by the introduction of the tail of the projectile into the propellant-charge case, thereby permitting the locking element to engage in the inner end position thereof, a corresponding recess of the tail of the projectile. The locking element is fixed in this connection, with a flust coupling of projectile and propellantcharge case, by being supported with the outer surface thereof against the inner wall of the gun barrel.

This ensures in an advantageous manner that the propellant-charge case per se. i.e., without the projectile, can be pushed into the gun barrel from the front only until the at least one locking element, which projects beyond the gun caliber, abuts the gun muzzle. A further introduction into the gun barrel is possible only after the projectile, with its tail, has been pushed to such an extent into the propellant-charge case that the locking element has engaged the corresponding recess and the flawless coupling between projectile and propellantcharge case has thus been completed. Accordingly, an inadvertent loading of several propellant charges is no longer possible. In the loaded condition, the propellant charge cannot detach itself from the projectile, even when the gun is set down hard, since the locking element is arrested in its inner end position wherein the projectile and the propellant-charge case are in flush connection by resting against the inner wall of the gun barrel.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, in order to effect the radial displacement of the locking element in a maximally simple manner, the surface of the locking element and/or of the muzzle of the gun barrel or the recess in the tail of the projectile is formed to be inclined in the common contact zone, so that forces actually effective in the axial direction are divided in the common contact zone into force components including a radial component which makes it possible for the at least one locking element to be radially displaced. Such axial forces occur during the loading of the ammunition, when the tail of the projectile is introduced into the propellant-charge case and the front end of the propellant-charge case presses the locking element against the gun muzzle. In contrast thereto, in the loaded condition, the blocking member, which is under a spring force, is pressed toward the front against the tail of the projectile, and the latter, in turn, is pressed correspondingly against the locking element. In this manner, the locking element passes over spontaneously from its outer end position into the inner end position during the loading of the ammunition, while, during the discharge, it passes over conversely spontaneously again into the outer end position in an advantageous manner, as soon as it can no longer contact the inner surface of the gun barrel.

In order to obtain a defined separation between the projectile and the propellant-charge case during the firing of the ammunition, in accordance with another feature of the present invention, the front region of the propellant-charge case, equipped with the at least one locking element, is connected with the remaining portion of the propellant-charge case by way of a predetermined breaking or rupturing point. Depending on the requirements, the arrangement can be such that the separated front portion of the propellant-charge case remains connected to the tail of the projectile and hits the target together therewith, or falls to the ground harmlessly after a certain flight distance from the gun. in the former case, the provision can be made, for example, to keep the radial play between the projectile tail and the section of the case to be separated relatively small, in order to join both parts by a frictional connection. This effect is still further enhanced, in case of a hollow tail of the projectile, by the fact that this tail is additionally pressed against the separated case section under the pressure action of the propellant gases. In order to avoid a possible bursting of the separated case section due to the pressure effect of the propellant gases, it has proven to be advantageous to provide the front zone of the propellant-charge case having the locking element, with radial pressure equalization bores.

According to the present invention, the front zone of the propellant-charge case having the locking element is advantageously constructed for reasons of manufacturing technology as a separate mounting ring connected with the remaining parts of the propellantcharge case by suitable securing means such as glue, screws, or the like. An additional advantage results in that, for example, it is possible to adapt to differing requirements with respect to required strength for the front section of the propellant-charge case and the remaining section in an optimum manner by selecting different material therefor.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the blocking member is formed as a sliding sleeve coaxially arranged between the propellant-charge case and an internal socket inserted therein, wherein the internal socket, in view of the pressure effect of the propellant gases, is suitably provided with radial pressure equalization bores. In order to prevent an inadvertent escape of the sliding sleeve from its fixed position, the invention furthermore provides that the propellant-charge case and the internal socket project past the front end of the sliding sleeve in the position for locking the locking element in the outer end position so that the sliding sleeve is protected from an immediate unauthorized access.

According to a further feature of the present invention, in order to provide a maximally firm junction of the projectile and the propellant-charge case, which junction is uniform along the periphery, at least two locking elements are suitably disposed so that they are symmetrically distributed along the circumference of the propellant-charge case. In order to make it possible to insert the projectile in the propellant-charge case in an unoriented manner, it is advantageous to form the recess in the tail of the projectile as an external annular groove. A suitable locking element may, for example, be in the form of a cylindrical pin provided on one or optionally also both ends with a lenticular, spherical, or like curvature, in order to facilitate the sliding of this pin along the muzzle of the gun barrel and/or along the rear edge of the recess in the tail of the projectile. In order to keep the friction maximally low during the radial displacement of the locking element within the recess in the propellant-charge case, it is advantageous to employ balls as locking elements. The locking element can be manufactured, for example of steel, as maybe the sliding sleeve. The strength, hardness, etc. must be chosen so that the flawless functioning of the safety coupling is ensured even after repeated loading and discharging. In order to avoid an undesired wearing of the gun barrel, especially during firing, due to the locking element resting against its inner wall, it is advantageous to construct the surface of the locking element with a lower hardness than the inner wall of the gun barrel.

In accordance with the present invention, in order to substantially reduce the danger of resultant damage to the gun barrel in the form of abrasions, scores, or the like, during the course of time, the recess for the at least one locking element provided in the zone of the front end of the propellant-charge case is constructed to be inclined, as seen from the inner end thereof, toward the rear end of the propellant-charge case. This provides the advantage that also the force exerted by the propellant-charge case on the locking element during the acceleration phase upon firing contains a radial component which is opposed to the radial force exerted by the projectile and thus reduces the pressure contact of the locking element on the gun barrel wall. Depending on the angle of inclination of the recess, it is possible in a controllable manner to adapt the pressure relief of the locking element to the respective requirements.

The recess for the locking element can be constructed, for example, as a circular-cylindrical bore, i.e., with a straight longitudinal axis, or also with a helically wound longitudinal axis. In any event, however,

the arrangement can be such that the locking element, after leaving the gun barrel, is pressed out of its recess by the thus-produced flow of propellant gases and separates away from the projectile in a controlled direction. The direction is determined, for example, by the speed of the projectile, the ejection speed of the locking element, and the inclination of the recess.

If it is not desired to press the locking element, upon firing, out of its recess, and if this cannot be prevented solely by the mechanical bending over of the recess at its outer end or the like, care must be taken that, after emptying the gun barrel, a quick reduction of the gas pressure takes place on the inside of the locking element. According to another feature of the invention, the propellant-charge case is provided, for this purpose, in the zone of the recess for the locking element, with an inner and optionally also an outer annular groove. The inner annular groove effects, after emptying of the gun barrel, a rapid escape of the propellant charge gases, especially if the front zone of the propellant-charge case carrying the locking element is provided with radial pressure equalization bores. The outer annular groove, in contradistinction, makes it possible, in the gun barrel, that the propellant charge gases can quickly attain access to the outside of the locking element and thus contributes toward relieving the pressure thereon.

In addition to the annular grooves or in place thereof, the present invention furthermore provides that the locking element contacts the wall of the recess only at a few points along its periphery. Thus, the locking element does not fill the cross section of the recess entirely, so that part of the propellant charge gases can flow off laterally past the locking element through the recess. For example, the recess can be formed for this purpose with a regular polygonal or hexagonal cross section, so that when a ball is employed as the locking element, this ball contacts the wall of the hexagonal cross-sectional recess only at six points. These measures make it possible either to keep the front zone of the propellant-charge case separated upon firing in connection with the tail of the projectile and have it impinge upon the target together with the projectile, or, in case of a corresponding radial play between the tail of the projectile and the separated annular section, to drop the front zone of the propellant charge case to the ground after a certain flight distance from the gun muzzle.

In order to facilitate, during the unloading of the gun and the thus-occurring uncoupling of projectile and propellant-charge case, the axial forward movement of the sliding sleeve beneath the locking element, the present invention further provides that the outer diameter of the front zone of the sliding sleeve is formed to be somewhat smaller than the outer diameter of the rear end of the projectile. In this connection, it is advantageous to provide the sliding sleeve, at the transition from its cylindrical outer surface to the front end face, with a rounded region in order to counteract the danger of a possible jamming of the locking element due to a sharp-edged sliding sleeve. In accordance with another feature of this invention, the sliding sleeve is provided in its rear zone with radial pressure equalization bores in order to prevent this part from being bent during firing under the effect of the propellant gases, or that it is torn off and thereby, in certain cases, results in a jamming of the parts of the coupling within the gun barrel after firing. Such a jamming is undesirable, since it makes the loading of the next round difficult.

For the same reason, it also is advantageous, when using the separate mounting ring for the locking element, to provide the tubular extension utilized for the connection of the mounting ring with the remaining part of the propellant-charge case with axial predetermined breaking or rupturing points. These predetermined breaking points, which, for example, are milled or notched therein, make it possible during firing, for the tubular extension to tear open in a uniform manner together with the propellant-charge case glued thereto, and thus prevent the undesired jamming in the gun barrel. By this defined rupturing effect, the variations in the firing gas pressure, occurring from one shot to the next, are also reduced and thus the deviations in the projectile velocities are diminished and the target accuracy is increased.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, in order to prevent during firing the internal socket from being pushed with its rear end into the tubular extension of the mounting ring, thus jamming the propellant-charge case within the gun barrel under certain circumstances, it is advantageous to connect the mounting ring flush with the internal socket by flanging the rear edge of the tubular extension into a corresponding annular groove of the internal socket.

These and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, several embodiments in accordance with the present invention, and wherein FIG. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal section view of a propellant-charge case and a projectile prior to connecting the same in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the coupled components within the gun barrel;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the propellant-charge case and the projectile in the coupled condition within the gun barrel in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the zone of the recess of the locking element of the FIG. 3 embodiment on an enlarged scale;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are fragmentary sectional views respectively illustrating different arrangements for the front zone of the propellant-charge case; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the mounting ring and the internal socket in a plan view.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a propellant-charge case 1 and a gun barrel 2, only the front portions of which are illustrated. The propellantcharge case 1 is pushed into the gun barrel 2 to such an extent that the locking elements 3, in this instance, for example, three balls arranged so that they are uniformly distributed along the periphery of the propellant-charge case, abut against the gun barrel muzzle 4. The locking elements 3 are disposed within a recess 5 in the front zone of the propellant-charge case 1 with the recess 5 being constructed as a radial bore, bent over toward the inside and outside, so that the ball cannot escape from the bore on any side.

The front zone of the propellant-charge case 1 with the locking elements 3 is constructed as a separate mounting ring 6 having a tubular extension 7 which projects into the remaining part of the propellantcharge case 1 and is joined thereto for example by gluing. The locking elements 3 rest interiorly on an axially movable sliding sleeve 8 which, in its locking position, is pressed by a spring 9 toward the front against the abutment face 10 in the mounting ring 6 and/or its extension 7. The rearward portion of the spring 9 rests against an internal socket member 11, which is firmly connected with the projection 7 as, for example, by gluing. The mounting ring 6 has a predetermined rupturing point 12, formed as an annular notch, at the transition to the extension 7 of the mounting ring such that during firing, the actual mounting ring 6 is separated at this rupturing point. The mounting ring 6 furthermore exhibits radial pressure equalization bores 13 disposed so that they are uniformly distributed along the circumference.

The internal socket 11, in order to avoid an undesired deformation under the effect of the gas pressure of the reacting propellant charge housed in the interior 14 of the propellant-charge case 1, is provided with radial pressure equalization bores 15 which are covered during storage and transporting of the propellant charge by a foil of, for example, aluminum, not shown, for preventing the entrance of, for example, atmospheric humidity. Additionally, the sliding sleeve 8 is also provided with a sealing ring 16 of felt, for example, seated on the internal socket 11. The latter carries, at its front end, an annular disk 17 of a synthetic hard foam material, for example. The annular disk 17 is provided with an aperture 18 which makes it possible to ignite an additional solid-fuel rocket engine disposed in the projectile, which engine is not shown, by means of the hot propellant gases of the firing charge and is sealed until firing by means of a foil 19, for example, of aluminum.

The tail portion of a projectile 20, only a portion of which is illustrated and shown at a spacing from the propellant-charge case 1, has an exteriorly disposed recess 21 at the tail end which, in this embodiment, is formed as a continuous annular groove. Two sealing rings 22 of Teflon, Perbunan, or the like are arranged in succession on the jacket of the tail 20 of the projectile. For connecting the projectile with the propellant charge, the projectile is inserted with its annular end 23 in the ring slot between the mounting ring 6 and the internal socket 11 and displaces during this step the sliding sleeve 8 against the force of the spring 9 toward the rear to such an extent that the

recesses

5 and 21 face each other. In this position, the tall 20 of the projectile then rests with its abutment face 24 against the mounting ring 6. Upon a further axial pressure on the tail 20 of the projectile, the locking elements 3 are pressed by the rounded inner edge 25 of the gun muzzle 4 toward the inside into the recess 21, so that the propellant-charge case 1, together with the projectile, can be pushed as shown in FIG. 2 into the loaded position in the gun barrel 2. The locking elements 3 then connect the propellant-charge case 1 flush with the tail 20 of the projectile and are arrested in this position by supporting themselves against the inner wall of the gun barrel 2, so that a separation of projectile and propellant charge in the gun barrel 2, except for during firing, is no longer possible.

During the possible unloading of the ammunition, the locking elements 3 are pressed again toward the outside into their locking position preventing the individual loading of the propellant charge by means of the sliding sleeve 8 under the force of the spring 9 and/or by the rear edge 26 of the recess 21 in the tail 20 of the projectile, as soon as the ammunition has been shifted toward the front to such an extent that the locking elements 3 have exited from the gun muzzle 4 and thus can no longer rest within the gun barrel 2. The projectile and the propellant charge are then again separated from each other, and the propellant charge is blocked against inappropriate individual loading.

As shown in the embodiment of the safety coupling of FIG. 3, the locking elements 3 in the form of balls are guided in recesses 5, the longitudinal axis of the recesses being inclined with respect to the transverse axis of the propellant-charge case 1 by the angle a (FIG. 4). In practice, an angle a of, for example l has proved to be advantageous. In any event, the direction of the inclination is selected so that the recess 5, as seen from the interior ofthe propellant-charge case 1, points to the rear end of the propellant-charge case 1. The tubular extension 7 of the mounting ring 6 is flanged over at its rear end 27 into a corresponding annular groove 28 of the internal socket 11, so the latter is securely connected with the mounting ring 6 in a shape-mating manner. As shown, the sliding sleeve 8 has radial pressure equalization bores 29 provided in the rear zone thereof.

FIG. 4 shows, by the arrow P, the force exerted on the locking element 3, during firing, by the propellantcharge case 1 or the mounting ring 6, respectively. The force P has an axial component P, and a radial component P,. The latter is directed toward the interior of the-propellant-charge case 1 and thereby effects the radial relief of the locking element 3 according to this embodiment and thus results in a considerable reduction of the wear and tear on the barrel by the locking element 3 in pressure contact therewith. The force exerted by the edge 26 of the tail of the projectile on the locking element 3 during firing is not illustrated for drawing clarity. The outer diameter of the sliding sleeve 8 is, in its front region, smaller than the outer diameter of the rear end of the projectile to aid in its movement in the uncoupling operation. At the transition from the outer cylindrical surface to the front end face, the sliding sleeve 8 is provided with the rounded portion 30 to aid in the movement beneath the locking ball 3. The extension 7 in accordance with this embodiment is provided with axially extending predetermind breaking points 31, constructed as a longitudinal notch, only one of which is shown in in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 5a, the mounting ring 6 is provided, in the zone of the recess indicated in dashed lines, with the inner and outer

annular grooves

32, 33 and as shown in FIG. 5b, the recess 5 formed in the mounting ring is provided for example with a hexagonal cross section. These recess arrangements ensure that the propellant charge gas can quickly attain access to the outside of the locking element so as to relieve the pressure thereon.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the mounting ring 6 with the extension 7 surrounding the internal socket 11. As shown, the mounting ring is provided with a plurality of recesses receiving the locking elements 3 as well as a plurality of pressure equalization bores 13.

Additionally, the mounting ring is provided with an annular predetermined breaking point 12 and axial predetermined breaking points 31, only one of which is illustrated.

The present invention thus provides a detachable safety coupling arrangement for a projectile and propellant charge case which ensures a flawless connection and the maintenance thereof within a gun barrel. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It should therefore be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

We claim:

1. Detachable connection between a projectile and a propellant-charge case for cartridge-encased ammunition fired from a gun barrel, said propellant charge case having a front and a rear end and a longitudinal axis, said connection comprising first recess means provided in the zone of the front end of said propellant charge case, at least one locking means being received in said first recess means for guided movement therein and being radially displaceable between inner and outer end positions with respect to the longitudinal axis of said propellant charge case, said locking means in the outer end position projecting out of said propellantcharge case to an extent sufficient to prevent the complete introduction of said propellant charge case into the gun barrel, blocking means disposed in said propellant-charge case for supporting said locking means in the outer end position thereof, means biasing said blocking means into the support position and said blocking means being displaceable toward the rear end of said propellant-charge case from the support position against the force of said biasing means, said projectile having a tail portion for connection with said propellant-charge case and arranged for contacting said blocking means and displacing said blocking means from the support position toward the rear end of said propellant-charge case, said tail portion having second recess means formed therein, said locking means engaging said second recess means to assume the inner end position thereof for connecting said projectile and said propellant-charge case and for permitting introduction thereof within the gun barrel with the connection of said projectile and said propellant-charge case being supported within the gun barrel.

2. Detachable connection according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said locking means, a muzzle of the gun barrel and said second recess means is provided with an inclined surface portion in the common contact zone of said locking means, the muzzle and said second recess for ensuring that forces acting in the axial direction serve for radially displacing said locking means.

3. Detachable connection according to claim 1, wherein said propellant-charge case is provided with a predetermined breaking point in the region joining the front zone with a rearwardly extending portion of said propellant-charge case whereby the front zone breaks away from the rearwardly extending portion when a predetermined force at said predetermined breaking point is exceeded.

4. Detachable connection according to claim 1, wherein the front end zone of said propellant-charge case having said first recess means receiving said locking means is provided with radially extending pressure equalization bores.

5. Detachable connection according to claim 1, wherein the front end zone of said propellant-charge case having said first recess means receiving said locking means is a separate mounting ring and is joined to a rearwardly extending portion of said propellantcharge case by securing means.

6. Detachable connection according to claim 1, wherein said blocking means is a sliding sleeve means coaxially arranged between said propellant-charge case and an internal socket means disposed within said propellant-charge case.

7. Detachable connection according to claim 6, wherein said internal socket means is provided with radially extending pressure equalization bores.

8. Detachable connection according to claim 6, wherein the front end of said propellant-charge case and said internal socket means extend beyond the front end of said sliding sleeve means in the support position thereof.

9. Detachable connection according to claim 1, comprising at least two locking means and at least two first recess means provided in the front end zone of said propellant charge case receiving said locking means, said first recess means and said locking means being symmetrically positioned along the periphery of said propellant-charge case.

10. Detachable connection according to claim 1, wherein said second recess means is an external annular groove provided in the tail portion of said projectile.

l1. Detachable connection according to claim 1, wherein said locking means is a ball member.

12. Detachable connection according to claim 1, wherein said biasing means is a spring means.

13. Detachable connection according to claim 1, wherein said first recess means is provided with a guide surface for said locking means which is inclined rearwardly in the outward direction.

14. Detachable connection according to claim 13, wherein said guide surface is inclined at an angle of approximately l with respect to the transverse axis of said propellant-charge case.

15. Detachable connection according to claim 1, wherein the front end zone of said propellant-charge case is provided in the region of said first recess means with at least a first annular groove.

16. Detachable connection according to claim 15, wherein said first annular groove is provided in an inwardly facing portion of the front end zone of said propellant-charge case.

17. Detachable connection according to claim 16, wherein the front end zone is provided with a second annular groove in the region of said first recess means, said second annular groove being provided in an outwardly facing portion of the front end zone of said propellant-charge case.

18. Detachable connection according to claim 1, wherein said first recess means has a cross-sectional shape which differs from the cross-sectional shape of said locking means movable therein such that said locking means contacts said first recess means only at spaced points along the periphery of said locking means. i

19. Detachable connection according to claim 18, wherein said recess is polygonal shaped in cross section and said locking means is a ball member.

20. Detachable connection according to claim 19, wherein said recess is hexogonal shaped in cross section.

21. Detachable connection according to claim 6, wherein said sliding sleeve means is provided with a first outer diameter at the front region thereof and said tail portion of said projectile is provided with a second outer diameter in the region of said recess means, said first outer diameter being less than said second outer diameter.

22. Detachable connection according to claim 21, wherein said sliding sleeve means is provided with a rounded portion in the transitional region between the first outer diameter region and the front end face thereof.

23. Detachable connection according to claim 21, wherein said sliding sleeve means is provided with radially extending pressure equalization bores in the rear portion thereof.

24. Detachable connection according to claim 6, wherein said mounting ring includes the front end zone of said propellant-charge case and a tubular member extending rearwardly therefrom, said tubular member being provided with axially extending predetermined breaking points.

25. Detachable connection according to claim 24, wherein said internal socket means is provided with an annular groove and said tubular member is provided with a flanged portion at the rear edge thereof extending into said annular groove for providing a flush connection of said mounting ring and said internal socket means.

26. Detachable connection according to claim 4, wherein the front end zone of said propellant-charge case having said first recess means receiving said locking means is provided with radially extending pressure equalization bores.

27. Detachable connection according to claim 26, wherein the front end zone of said propellant-charge case having said first recess means receiving said locking means is a separate mounting ring and is joined to a rearwardly extending portion of said propellant charge case by securing means.

28. Detachable connection according to claim 27, wherein said blocking means is a sliding sleeve means coaxially arranged between said propellant-charge case and an internal socket means disposed within said propellant-charge case.

29. Detachable connection according to claim 28, wherein said internal socket means is provided with radially extending pressure equalization bores.

30. Detachable connection according to claim 29, wherein the front end of said propellant-charge case and said internal socket means extend beyond the front end of said sliding sleeve means in the support position thereof.

31. Detachable connection according to claim 30, comprising at least two locking means and at least two first recess means provided in the front end zone of said propellant charge case receiving said locking means, said first recess means and said locking means being symmetrically positioned along the periphery of said propellant-charge case.

32. Detachable connection according to claim 31, wherein said second recess means is an external annular groove provided in the tail portion of said projectile.

33. Detachable connection according to claim 32, wherein said first recess means is provided with a guide surface for said locking means which is inclined rearwardly in the outward direction.

34. Detachable connection according to claim 33, wherein the front end zone of said propellant-charge case is provided in the region of said first recess means with at least a first annular groove.

35. Detachable connection according to claim 34, wherein said first annular groove is provided in an inwardly facing portion of the front end zone of said propellant-charge case.

36. Detachable connection according to claim 35, wherein the front end zone is provided with a second annular groove in the region of said first recess means, said second annular groove being provided in an outwardly facing portion of the front end zone of said propellant-charge case.

37. Detachable connection according to claim 33, wherein said first recess means has a cross-sectional shape which differs from the cross-sectional shape of said locking means movable therein such that said locking means contacts said first recess means only at spaced points along the periphery of said locking means.

38. Detachable connection according to claim 37, wherein said recess is polygonal shaped in cross section and said locking means is a ball member.

39. Detachable connection according to claim 38, wherein said recess is hexogonal shaped in cross section.

40. Detachable connection according to claim 37,

wherein said sliding sleeve means is provided with a first outer diameter at the front region thereof and said tail portion of said projectile is provided with a second outer diameter in the region of said second recess means, said first outer diameter being less than said second outer diameter.

41. Detachable connection according to claim 40, wherein said sliding sleeve means is provided with a rounded portion in the transitional region between the first outer diameter region and the front end face thereof.

42. Detachable connection according to claim 41, wherein said sliding sleeve means is provided with radially extending pressure equalization bores in the rear portion thereof.

43. Detachable connection according to claim 42, wherein said mounting ring includes the front end zone of said propellant-charge case and a tubular member extending rearwardly therefrom, said tubular member being provided with axially extending predetermined breaking points.

44. Detachable connection according to claim 43, wherein said internal socket means is provided with an annular groove and said tubular member is provided with a flanged portion at the rear edge thereof extending into said annular groove for providing a flush connection of said mounting ring and said internal socket means.

45. Detachable connection according to claim 44,

wherein said locking means is a ball member.

Claims

1. Detachable connection between a projectile and a propellantcharge case for cartridge-encased ammunition fired from a gun barrel, said propellant charge case having a front and a rear end and a longitudinal axis, said connection comprising first recess means provided in the zone of the front end of said propellant charge case, at least one locking means being received in said first recess means for guided movement therein and being radially displaceable between inner and outer end positions with respect to the longitudinal axis of said propellant charge case, said locking means in the outer end position projecting out of said propellAnt-charge case to an extent sufficient to prevent the complete introduction of said propellant charge case into the gun barrel, blocking means disposed in said propellant-charge case for supporting said locking means in the outer end position thereof, means biasing said blocking means into the support position and said blocking means being displaceable toward the rear end of said propellant-charge case from the support position against the force of said biasing means, said projectile having a tail portion for connection with said propellant-charge case and arranged for contacting said blocking means and displacing said blocking means from the support position toward the rear end of said propellant-charge case, said tail portion having second recess means formed therein, said locking means engaging said second recess means to assume the inner end position thereof for connecting said projectile and said propellant-charge case and for permitting introduction thereof within the gun barrel with the connection of said projectile and said propellant-charge case being supported within the gun barrel.

5. Detachable connection according to claim 1, wherein the front end zone of said propellant-charge case having said first recess means receiving said locking means is a separate mounting ring and is joined to a rearwardly extending portion of said propellant-charge case by securing means.

11. Detachable connection according to claim 1, wherein said locking means is a ball member.

14. Detachable connection according to claim 13, wherein said guide surface is inclined at an angle of approximately 15* wIth respect to the transverse axis of said propellant-charge case.

18. Detachable connection according to claim 1, wherein said first recess means has a cross-sectional shape which differs from the cross-sectional shape of said locking means movable therein such that said locking means contacts said first recess means only at spaced points along the periphery of said locking means.

27. Detachable connection according to claim 26, wherein the front end zone of said propellant-charge case having said first recess means receiving said locking means is a separate mounting ring and is joined to a rearwardly extending portion of said propellant-charge case by securing means.

40. Detachable connection according to claim 37, wherein said sliding sleeve means is provided with a first outer diameter at the front region thereof and said tail portion of said projectile is provided with a second outer diameter in the region of said second recess means, said first outer diameter being less than said second outer diameter.

45. Detachable connection according to claim 44, wherein said locking means is a ball member.