Patent GB-452470-A (GB)
Title: Pneumatic device for recocking a machine gun
IPC: F41A19/08
Filed: 1935-05-01
Abstract: 452,470. Machine guns. SOC. ANON. DES ANCIENS ETABLISSEMENTS HOTCHKISS ET CIE, 60, Quai Michelet, Levallois - Perret, and BOUSSEL, L. A., 8, Rue St.-Guilleaume, Courbevoie, both in Seine, France. May 1, 1935, No. 35691. Divided out of 452,459. [Class 92 (ii)] [See also Group XXVIII] Relates to pneumatic devices for recocking a machine gun from a distance after a missfire, and of the kind comprising a movable cylinder 128, Fig. 1a, and a fixed hollow piston through which the compressed air is fed into the cylinder under the control of a valve automatically operated when the gunstops firing in the uncocked position. According to the invention, the piston bore 145 is enlarged to form a reservoir of compressed air and to receive a valve 135 which controls the passage of compressed air from the reservoir to the cylinder 128. The valve is connected to a piston 138 co-operating with a chamber 145<1> which, when supplied with air under pressure, feeds the reservoir through a lift-valve 140, and, when connected with the atmosphere, causes valve 135 to open to effect recocking. The recocking mechanism is shown carried by a frame 111 permanently attached to the wing spars of an aeroplane and the gun (not shown), is detachably mounted on the frame in receiving members 104, 168. In the example shown, the pressure in the chamber 145<1> is under the control of a distributing-valve 160, 1601 which is moved rearwardly during the normal operation of the gun by the engagement of the cocking-handle B, Fig. 2a, with the projection 164<1> of a slide 164 having a finger 162 engaging the distributing-valve. The forward movement of this valve by its spring 159 is delayed by an air brake 158. The distributing-valve comprises pistons 160, 160<1>, the space between which provides a connection between the air supply ports 157<2> and the ports 157<1> leading by passage 147<5> to the chamber 145<1>. This connection is maintained except when the valve is allowed to move to its forward position in which the ports 157<1> are connected with the atmosphere through a slit 157<3>. Locking devices prevent the valve reaching its forward position unless the cylinder 128 has returned and until a sufficient pressure has been built up in the reservoir. The rear end of the cylinder 128 carries on a pivot 122 a spring-controlled rocking pawl 119 which during recocking engages by its projection 119<1> with a slide 117, a finger 117<1> on which bears against the cocking- handle B. Lateral spring-controlled pins 120 on the pawl engage a guide groove 111<1> during rearward movement and, on deflection by an incline 111<3> into a return guide groove 111<2>, rock the pawl to release the slide which is returned by a spring 115. The pawl carries a pin 118 which engages a cup 123 on a spring- pressed exhaust valve- 124 to permit return of the cylinder 128 by a spring 155. In case of failure of the pneumatic device, the slide 117 can be pulled rearwards to recock by a handle 116<1>, Fig. 6, connected to the slide by a cable 116 passing over pulleys 107. The cable is retained by a nipple 116<2> engaging pawls 116<4> which can be released by a sliding sleeve 116<6>. The gun is fired by a pneumatic servomotor engaging the trigger D.