RECOIL DAMPING SYSTEM FOR MORTAR OR OTHER HEAVIER FIREARM

Abstract: Recoil damping system for a mortar or other heavy firearm mounted on a mobile carrier (1) constituted by the rear waggon or trailer of a belted traction vehicle (3). The firearm (2) is mounted on a base plate (4) provided with sidewalls. A shock absorbing and damping device (7) comprising a prestressed compression spring and a fixed or adjustable damper element is provided between the base plate (4) and the chassis (5) at each corner of the base plate.

Description: Recoil damping system for mortar or other heavier firearm. The present invention relates to a recoil damping system for a mortar or other heavier firearm mounted on a mobile carrier. When the firearm with the mobile carrier is situated in operative condition in terrain providing reduced carrying capacity, such as marshland or losse snow, it is of importance that the recoil energy of the firearm is absorbed as much as possible in order to prevent "digging in" of the mobile carrier. To prevent such digging in, the mobile carrier must have as large as possible carrying surface towards the ground, i.e. rather belts than wheels. According to this invention it is suggested that shock absorbing and shock damping devices are provided between a base plate for the firearm and the chassis of the mobile carrier. These shock absorbing and damping devices are conveniently constituted by compression springs, possibly combined with fixed or adjustable damper elements, whereby a controllable return of the base plate to its basic position is achieved. The base plate of the firearm is preferably a relatively heavier structure thus providing a large recoil mass. The shock absorbing and damping spring devices are preferably prestressed so that the position of the support plate and thus the orientation of the firearm is not changed due to movement of a mass, e.g. personell or ammunition crates, on the base plate. The invention is illustrated schematically on the accompanying drawing. A mobile carrier 1 of a heavier firearm 2 is constituted by the rear waggon (or alternatively a trailer) for a belted traction vehicle 3. The firearm 2, e.g. a mortar, is mounted on a base plate 4 which, in the embodiment shown, is also provided with sidewalls. Between this box-like carrier and the chassis 5 of the rear waggon or trailer, which chassis in the shown embodiment is provided with belts 6 (but which may also be provided with wheels) , shock absorbing and damping devices 7 are provided at each of four corners. These shock absorbing and damping devices each consist of a prestressed compression spring and a fixed or adjustable damper element thus provided a controllable return of the base plate and a satisfactory absorbtion of the recoil energy such that digging in of the entire unit is prevented.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Recoil damping system for a mortar or other heavy firearm (2) mounted on a mobile carrier (1) , characterized in that shock absorbing and damping devices (7) are provided between a base plate (4) for the firearm (2) and the chassis (5) of the mobile carrier. 2. Recoil damping system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the shock absorbing and damping devices (7) are constituted by compression springs as well as fixed or adjustable damper elements. 3. Recoil damping system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the base plate (4) of the firearm is a relatively heavy structure thus having great inertia. 4. Recoil damping system as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the shock absorbing and damping elements (7) are prestressed.

Inventors: SNEKKEVIK ASBJOERN, SNEKKEVIK, ASBJOERN
Applicants: HAEGGLUNDS MOELV AS, HAEGGLUNDS MOELV A.S
Application year: 1992
Main classification: F41A23
IPC codes: F41A23, F41A25