Abstract:
A drive, having a quick stop mechanism, for a breech is axially adjustable relative to a weapon barrel, and includes a motor, two counter-rotating chains and sprocket wheels that guide the chains. Engaging cams and control cams are integrated into the chains. A slide mounted at the bottom of the breech is displaceable transversely to the direction of fire and has a groove that the engaging cams engage to entrain the breech in a forward or reverse motion relative to the direction of fire. The engaging cam transporting the breech forwards is displaced from the groove while the control cam displaces the slide simultaneously to its center position via its ascent ramp, thereby allowing breech rest periods in the forward limit position. Firing causes the slide to move from the center position to the left hand side whereas it remains in the center position when no shot is fired.

Description:
[0001]    This is a Continuation-in-Part application in the United States of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2009/007975 filed Nov. 7, 2009, which claims priority on German Patent Application No. DE 10 2008 060 216.7, filed Dec. 4, 2008. The entire disclosures of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to a drive provided with a quick stop device for a breech, or breech support, which can be moved in the axial direction with respect to a weapon barrel of a weapon. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Various drives, such as external drives or self-drives, for weapon systems are known from the prior art. Electrical drives are frequently provided for external drives, and these then, for example, drive a chain. One known chain drive is used in the machine gun known by the name “Bushmaster,” or else “chain gun.” In this case, the times during which the breech has to be stationary for closing it, in order to fire the shot, in order to open the breech and to place a cartridge in front of the breech, are implemented by a revolving chain, which is driven by a motor (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/M242 Bushmaster). In this case, the breech, together with the round or cartridge in front of it, is fed linearly to the cartridge chamber. 
         [0004]    DE 10 2006 022 622 A1 describes a linear feed for the round into a weapon barrel or cartridge chamber, which feed has a control guide, which is used for function control, on the horizontal plane parallel to the movement of a breech, which has to be guided linearly, for the breech-loading weapon. This functionally interacts with a so-called “drive guide,” which is likewise located on the horizontal plane, for guiding a means connected to the breech. The drive guide is integrated in a movable slider, which is itself moved by a universally configurable drive. Furthermore, a locking guide is provided for locking the breech, and is preferably integrated in the movable slider together with the drive guide. A bolt on a locking ring, which is preferably arranged on the weapon side, can engage in this locking guide. This bolt then itself moves the locking ring. Within the control guide and the drive guide, which interact with one anther, a connecting rod, or the like, is positively guided by the guides and the slider along these guides. The breech is moved backward and forward by means of this connecting rod. 
         [0005]    Building on this, DE 10 2007 048 468.4, which was not published prior to the earliest priority date for the present patent application, considers in more detail a drive for the linear feed of the round into a weapon barrel or cartridge chamber by means of a chain. The chain itself is passed in a simple manner closely around two sprocket wheels. A chain link or a stud on the chain is integrated in a guide or groove that is located underneath the movable slider. This allows the chain to continue to run during the times in which the weapon is stationary, and which are defined by the function control. The chain itself can be driven by an electric motor. 
         [0006]    Since, in the case of an external drive, the breech movements take place independently of the gas pressure in the weapon barrel, it is necessary to prevent the breech from being opened in the event of a misfire (i.e., defined in this case when the propellant charge in the cartridge does not burn away after the firing energy has been supplied), or a late fire (i.e., defined in this case as when the propellant charge burns away with a considerable time delay). In general, the gas pressure or the weapon barrel itself is, for this purpose, detected as an indication of correct burn-away. If this information is lacking, a so-called “quick stop” must be initiated, and the opening of the breech must be prevented. 
         [0007]    The mass forces during breaking of the external drive, in order to prevent opening, result in high loads in or on the elements of the drive train, particularly, at relatively high firing rates. 
         [0008]    DE 10 2007 048 470.6, which was not published prior to the earliest priority date for the present patent application, deals with the problem of a so-called quick stop in externally driven weapons. The quick stop is inserted all the time, and is moved out again when a shot is fired correctly. However, in the event of a misfire, a means, which is functionally connected to the weapon recoil, runs onto the quick stop, the drive movement is stopped, and the breech is not unlocked, at least for a predeterminable time. 
         [0009]    DE 30 21 200 C2 discloses a protection system against late firing or subsequent firing. In addition to having a sensor for detection of recoil, the weapon is equipped with a quick stop that can be moved to a position pushed in with respect to the chain part, in order to stop a normally continuously moving chain part, and therefore to stop the movement of the breech. A locking apparatus, which responds to the sensor, controls the movement of the stopping apparatus between the pushed-in position, in which the chain part is stopped, and an extended position, in which the movement of the chain part is otherwise not impeded. The protection system has two elements, which are connected to the chain part, a main element and a safety element, as well as a trigger rod that is controlled by a solenoid, and a recoil push rod. The recoil push rod is used to release a recoil catch bolt when the shot is fired, and the trigger rod is used to move the safety element down when the weapon is locked, and to release it when the round has been correctly fired. In order to subsequently stop the weapon, the trigger rod acts on the main element, since the solenoid is switched off. However, an electrically controlled solenoid, such as this, is particularly undesirable in safety devices of this type because it is itself susceptible to defects. The possibility of the material of the rods fracturing furthermore means that the safety device is not functionally reliable. In addition, the design of the entire unit is very complex. 
         [0010]    DE 32 18 550 C2 discloses a blocking device for a machine gun having an externally driven breech drive. In this case, energy that results from the shot firing is used for a shot monitoring device in order to interrupt the external power supply. When a shot is not fired and there is no return movement, this prevents a control stud of the device from being moved out of a pulled-back position to a driving position, while a switching lever is transported by an interrupter stud to a position in which the power supply is continuously restricted. The disadvantage of this solution is, likewise, the high level of design complexity, and the weight associated with this complex design. 
         [0011]    DE 10 2007 054 470.9, which was not published before the earliest priority date for the present patent application, deals with a drive for a weapon with a linear round feed, which is distinguished in that the linear feeding of a breech to the weapon barrel, or cartridge chamber, is achieved by means of a linear guide groove in drive kinematics. A driver is guided in the guide groove and is physically connected to the breech. The guide groove is surrounded by a circumferential positive guide (slotted guide), which itself interprets the necessary times during which the breech is stationary during locking, firing, unlocking in its front position and reloading. A further means is guided within the positive guide, as a drive means for the breech. The drive can be transmitted by sliding rollers, gear wheels, or the like, which are driven by a motor, etc. The drive itself continues to run during the times when the weapon is stationary, while the breech is moved out, and back in again later during the times in which it is stationary. A slider is integrated between the drive means and the driver, and releases the driver from the breech. For this purpose, a slider has a slide cam, along which the driver is guided and is raised. 
         [0012]    The purpose of the present invention is to specifically describe a drive for feeding the weapon breech to the cartridge chamber, in which the breech is automatically decoupled from the drive, particularly, in the event of a misfire or a late fire. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The object of invention is achieved by the features of a first embodiment, which pertains to a drive provided with a quick stop device for a breech ( 3 ), or breech support, which can be moved in the axial direction with respect to a weapon barrel ( 1 ), having at least one motor or the like, two chains ( 6 ) that run in opposite senses, sprocket wheels ( 5 ) around which the chains ( 6 ) are passed, driver studs ( 7 ) and control studs ( 8 ), which are integrated on the chain ( 6 ), a slide ( 11 ), which is mounted on two guide bolts at the bottom on the breech ( 3 ) such that it can be moved transversely with respect to the firing direction, wherein a groove ( 12 ) is located in the slide ( 11 ), in which groove ( 12 ) the driver studs ( 7 ) on the respective chains ( 6 ) engage, in order to drive the breech ( 3 ) forward and backward in the firing direction, wherein times in which the breech ( 3 ) is stationary in the front limit position are implemented in that the driver stud ( 7 ), which transports the breech ( 3 ) forward, is moved out of the groove ( 12 ), while the slide ( 11 ) is at the same time moved to its central position via its run-on ramp ( 13 ) by means of the control stud ( 8 ) on the same chain ( 6 ), and when a shot has been fired, the slide ( 11 ) is moved from the central position to the other weapon side, while the slide ( 11 ) remains in its central position when no shot has been fired, such that none of the driver studs ( 7 ) can drive the breech ( 3 ) to the rear. Advantageous embodiments are described below as follows. 
         [0014]    In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the first embodiment is modified so that a bevel gear ( 9 ) rotates two pinion shafts ( 10 ), wherein the bevel gear ( 9 ) is driven by the motor, or the like, and the two chains ( 6 ) are set in motion via the two preferably rear sprocket wheels ( 5 ) such that the latter rotate in opposite senses/directions. In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, the first embodiment or the second embodiment are further modified so that when the slide ( 11 ) is in the central position, an upper web of a holder ( 14 ) that is fixed to the weapon housing is located in the groove ( 12 ) in the slide ( 11 ), by which means the breech ( 3 ) is connected in an interlocking manner to the weapon housing. In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment are further modified so that a lever ( 15 ) is rotated by a stud ( 21 ) of a barrel lock ( 2 ) during weapon recoil, by which means the slide ( 11 ) is guided to its left-hand position, along its chamfer ( 20 ), by means of a tab ( 16 ), which is in the form of a wedge, on the lever ( 15 ). 
         [0015]    In accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment are further modified so that, until the start of its rearward movement, the breech ( 3 ) remains locked in its forward position and, during loading, in the rear position, for which purpose a locking catch ( 17 ) is arranged such that it can pivot on the holder ( 14 ), engages in the groove ( 12 ) in the slide ( 11 ), and thus holds the breech ( 3 ) in its position. In accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the fifth embodiment is further modified so that the corresponding driver stud ( 7 ) on the chains ( 6 ) preferably runs from underneath into the groove ( 12 ) in the slide ( 11 ), so the locking catch ( 17 ) is forced out of the groove ( 12 ) and releases the breech ( 3 ) for transport. 
         [0016]    In an application that was submitted in parallel with the present application, a drive is proposed provided with a quick stop device with a chain to which at least two driver studs are fitted. The chain is passed around at least two sprocket wheels, and is preferably arranged underneath the breech. A slide is mounted in a guide at the bottom on the breech/breech support such that the slide can move transversely with respect to the firing direction, and a groove extends over the entire width of this slide. The respective driver stud moves the breech via this groove, forward in the firing direction or backward after the shot. The times during which the breech is stationary, in the front limit position, are implemented in that the driver stud, which transports the breech forward, is moved out of the groove and is moved backward on the other weapon side without the breech. When a shot is fired, the slide is then moved to the other weapon side, while on the other hand it remains in its position in which it has been moved away from the driver stud when the shot is not fired, as a result of which no further driver stud can drive the breech to the rear. 
         [0017]    The present invention is based on the idea of integrating two chains which run in opposite senses (directions) as a drive. The rotary movement of the external drive, for example, an electric motor, is converted via this chain drive to a forward and backward movement of a breech/breech support. 
         [0018]    The axes of the sprocket wheels, in accordance with the present invention, are preferably transverse with respect to the firing direction, and are, in this case, preferably disposed underneath the breech. One of the chains moves the breech forward, and the other chain moves it backward. In practice, the breech is moved forward by one of the two chains on the left-hand side of the weapon, while the other chain drives the breech backward on the right-hand side of the weapon (or vice versa). 
         [0019]    In order to allow the breech to be stationary for times in the limit positions, the breech is disconnected from the drive in its front and rear positions. This can be done by decoupling the driver studs of the drive from the breech. In one preferred embodiment, in order to move the breech, these driver studs engage in a slide, which is located underneath the breech and can be moved transversely with respect to the firing direction. In its left-hand position, the slide functionally engages with the driver on one of its chains (i.e., the left-hand chain), and in its right-hand position it functionally engages with the driver on the other chain (i.e., the right-hand chain). During the times when the breech is stationary, the driver studs each leave the slide when the slide has assumed its central position. In this central position, the slide and, therefore, the breech are disconnected from both chains. 
         [0020]    When the right-hand chain has driven the breech forward, the slide is moved to its central position by a control stud, which follows the driver, on the right-hand chain, and in the process is disconnected from the drive. In this position, the breech is locked, the cartridge is fired, and the weapon recoils. By means of this recoil (it is also possible to use gas pressure), the slide is moved to the left-hand (other) side of the weapon or breech, from where the slide can be driven backward by the left-hand chain via the driver stud on this left-hand chain. 
         [0021]    When a shot is fired correctly, the breech is moved by the second chain to the rear position. Here, the slide is once again shifted or moved to its central position by the control stud on the second chain, and is disconnected from the drive for the rear waiting time of the breech. Whilst the next cartridge has been placed in front of the breech, the slide is pushed to the other (right-hand) side by an element, for example, a feeder. The driver stud on the first (right-hand) chain now moves from underneath into the groove in the slide, and once again drives the breech forward. 
         [0022]    In contrast, if the cartridge does not fire, the slide is not moved to the left because there is no weapon recoil, but it remains in its central position. The breech cannot be unlocked, and also cannot be driven back. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The invention will be explained in more detail, using at least one exemplary embodiment, and with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  shows an illustration of a breech drive, in accordance with the present invention, provided with chains and sprocket wheels arranged underneath a breech, from a rear perspective view, with the breech in the front position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of the breech drive from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  shows the major assemblies for moving a slide, which is integrated in the breech drive (as seen from the right in the firing direction), with other structures omitted for clarity; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  shows the assemblies from  FIG. 3 , with some features illustrated in a transparent (phantom) form (as seen from the left in the firing direction); 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  shows the breech drive, as seen in the opposite direction to the firing direction (i.e., a view from the front) with the slide  11  in the left-hand position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  shows the breech drive of  FIG. 1  with the breech in the rear position; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  shows the breech drive, as seen in the firing direction (i.e., a view from the rear), with the slide  11  in the right-hand position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  shows an illustration of a breech drive, according to the present invention, which is provided with two chains  6   a,    6   b  on the right and left, respectively, as seen in the firing direction, for an externally driven machine gun (weapon). A weapon barrel  1  of the weapon is mounted in a barrel lock  2  (e.g., in this case a locking bush), in which a breech  3  is also locked in its front position (See  FIG. 1 ). The breech  3  can be moved on breech guides  4  in the direction of the weapon barrel axis. 
         [0032]    Sprocket wheels  5  and the two chains  6  are preferably arranged underneath the breech  3 , or the breech guides  4 , or some other breech support. The breech drive is provided via a bevel gear  9 , which rotates two pinion shafts  10 . The bevel gear  9  is driven by a motor or a drive of this kind (not illustrated in any more detail than by the schematic box  50 ), directly or indirectly by transmission means  52 , and sets the two chains  6  in motion by means of the pinion shafts  10  and the two rear sprocket wheels  5 , such that the two sprocket wheels rotate in opposite senses or directions as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 1 . The upper strand of the chain  6   a  is moved in the firing direction on the right-hand side of the weapon, and the upper strand of the chain  6   b  is moved in the opposite direction on the left-hand side of the weapon. Both chains  6   a,    6   b  each have a driver stud  7  and a control stud  8 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a slide  11  that is mounted on two guide bolts at the bottom on the breech  3 , such that the slide  11  can be moved transversely with respect to the firing direction. A groove  12  is located in the slide  11 , in which groove  12  the driver studs  7  on the chains  6  engage, in order to drive the breech  3  forward and backward in the firing direction. 
         [0034]    In order to transport the breech  3  forward, the driver stud  7  on the right-hand chain  6   a  engages in the groove  12 , with the slide  11  located in its right-hand position (See  FIG. 7 ). This results in an interlocking connection, in the longitudinal direction of the weapon, between the breech drive and the breech  3 , wherein the breech  3  is accelerated and braked via a sinusoidal function (i.e., in a sinusoidal manner), which is predetermined by the radius of the sprocket wheels  5 . 
         [0035]    The times in which the breech  3  is stationary in the front limit position (See, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) are implemented in that the driver stud  7 , on the right-hand chain  6   a,  travels downward out of the groove  12  in the slide  11 , while the slide  11  is, at the same time, moved to its central position (See  FIG. 4 ) via its run-on ramp  13  by means of the control stud  8  on the same chain  6   a.  The upper web  28  of a holder  14 , which is fixed to the weapon housing  60  of the weapon, is therefore located in the groove  12 , by which means the breech  3  is connected, when in its front position, in an interlocking manner to the weapon housing  60  (See  FIG. 3 ). In this position, the slide  11  does not engage with the driver stud  7  either on the right-hand chain  6   a  or on the left-hand chain  6   b.    
         [0036]    In order to secure the slide  11  against inadvertent movement when in the right-hand, left-hand and central positions, in one simple variant, inclined surfaces on the underneath of the bolt  18  grip against surfaces  19 , which are arranged parallel, on an upper portion of the slide  11  (See  FIG. 4 ). In this case, a spring  62  permanently presses the bolt  18  against the surface  19 , and therefore ensures that the slide  11  can be moved transversely with respect to the breech  3  only against a correspondingly high force (i.e., a force high enough to overcome the frictional force between the surface  19  of the slide  11  and the inclined surfaces of the bolt  18  caused by the spring  62  pressing the inclined surfaces of the bolt  18  against the surface  19  of the slide  11 ). 
         [0037]    When the breech  3  is in the front, locked position, a firing bolt (not illustrated in any more detail) is released, by which means a shot is fired. Weapon recoil then occurs, and can be used to move the slide  11  to its left-hand position (See  FIG. 5 ). Alternatively, a build-up of gas pressure can also be used to move the slide  11  to its left-hand position due to weapon recoil. 
         [0038]    The lever  15 , which is used for this function of moving the slide  11  to its left-hand position due to weapon recoil, should be considered as an example. This function of moving the slide  11  to its left-hand position could also be carried out in a different manner, for example, by using the gas pressure instead of the weapon recoil, or by using an intermediate buffer spring. The latter could better tolerate weapon recoils of different length. 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 3 , the lever  15  is rotated during weapon recoil by the stud  21  ( FIG. 2 ) on the barrel lock  2 , and its wedge-shaped tab  16  moves the slide  11  by its chamfer  20  ( FIG. 4 ) to its left-hand position ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  shows this left-hand position of the slide  11 , seen in the opposite direction to the firing direction (with minor discrepancies in the correct position of the driver and control studs  7 ,  8 ). To assist in understanding the orientation shown in  FIG. 5 , the character reference “L” designates the left-hand side of the weapon and the character reference “R” designates the right-hand side of the weapon. In order to ensure that the breech  3  remains locked in its front position until the start of its rearward movement, a locking catch  17  is arranged on the holder  14  such that it can pivot. The locking catch  17  engages in the groove  12  in the slide  11 , and thus holds the breech  3  in its position. 
         [0041]    The driver stud  7  on the left-hand chain  6   b  then enters the groove  12  in the slide  11  from underneath, with the locking catch  17  being pushed out of the groove  12 , allowing the breech  3  to be moved to its rear position (See  FIG. 6 ) in the opposite direction to the firing direction. In the rear position ( FIG. 6 ), the driver stud  7  on the left-hand chain  6   b  leaves the groove  12  in the slide  11 , while the control stud  8  on the same chain  6   b  moves the slide back to its central position. In the rear position as well, a holder, which is not illustrated in any more detail, is provided and in this position connects the breech  3  to the weapon housing in an interlocking manner. As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the breech is in the rear position, the socket  2   a  of the barrel lock  2  has been separated from the catch head  3   a  of the breech  3 . However, the catch head  3   a  (which is provided with bumps) and the socket  2   a  may lock together when the breech  3  is in the front position (See, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ). In  FIG. 6 , the space between the catch head  3   a  of the breech and the socket  2   a  of the barrel lock  2  is provided so that an ammunition shell may be disposed into the direction of the weapon barrel  1  and locked in place when the breech  3  returns to the front position so that the breech catch  3   a  and the socket  2   a  engage and lock together. 
         [0042]    After a new cartridge has been fed, a lever, for example of a feeder, moves the slide  11  to the right-hand side of the weapon (See  FIG. 7 ), as a result of which the driver stud  7  on the right-hand chain  6   a  drives the breech  3  forward again. 
         [0043]    However, if no shot is fired, the slide  11  remains in its central position when this is forward. Since, in this central position, the slide  11  is not engaged with the driver stud  7  on either the right-hand chain  6   a  or on the left-hand chain  6   b,  unlocking cannot take place, and the breech  3  cannot be transported further to its rear position. 
         [0044]    It is self-evident that it is also possible to use two motors as autonomous drives for the right-hand and left-hand chains  6   a,    6   b,  within the scope of the inventive idea. This dual motor embodiment requires synchronization of the two motors and the slight impression that the entire drive unit is physically larger. 
         [0045]    According to the present invention a drive is provided with a quick stop device operably connected to a breech  3 , or breech support, of a weapon, wherein the breech or breech support is moveable between a front limit position and a rear position in an axial direction with respect to a weapon barrel of the weapon. The above disclosure pertains mainly to the drive. However, in accordance with the present invention, the quick stop mechanism is provided by various components of the drive, such as by slide  11 , and by operation of the control studs  7 ,  8 , and associated structures connected to the breech  3 . More specifically, when the breech  3  is found in the front position, the slide  11  is brought into the central position by means of the run-on ramp  13  and the control stud  8  of the chain  6   a.  The slide  11  remains in the central position when there is no shot. The control stud  7  cannot reach into the slide  11 . Therefore, while the motor  50  may continue to run, the weapon system is placed in a “stop” mode (i.e., a quick stop).