Patent GB-232919-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to small calibre ordnance
IPC: F41A9/11
Filed: 1925-01-15
Abstract: 232,919. Schneider et Cie. April 25, 1924, [Convention date]. Cartridge magazines; ordnance breech mechanism; machine guns.-Loading mechanism for automatic small-calibre ordnance, operated by the recoil and run out of the gun, comprises a transversely moving endless conveyer formed of a chain of trough-like holders adapted to pass over a cartridge magazine so that each holder in turn receives the top cartridge from a pile and carries it to the loading opening, whence it is brought into line with the bore of the gun and the ramming-breech-block. As shown, the con. veyer is formed by two chains F passing over sprocket wheels f<1>, f<2> and coupled together by cross stays f, Fig. 3, a pair to each pair of links. The holders G are mounted to slide longitudinally on the stays, and are guided by a cam way E'. Fig. 3, so that during the lateral movement of the holders they are also moved longitudinally to bring the cartridges directly over the loading opening. The continuous rotation of the convever may be effected by any suitable mechanism; a shaft T, Fig. 3, may be rotated continuouslv in the same direction by mechanism actuated by the reciprocating barrels, as described in Specification 227,806 applied to the driving of a fan. The magazine comprises a number of removable sections each containing a pile of cart. ridges. Each section comprises a grooved channel I, Fig. 4, having a bottom plate i and a top catch i<3> which retains the cartridges in the channel before the sections are placed in the magazine. The sections are adapted to be hooked into the casing E, the catch i<3> then being released as shown in Fig. 4. The cartridges are fed up. wards by a spring-pressed lifting plate J, catch mechanism being provided so that the sections come into use successively, the lifter of one section, as it reaches its top position, releasing the retaining catch of the next lifter. Closing flaps K are associated with the lifting plates J so that as long as the lifter is held down the flaps close the top of the section and form a platform over which the cartridges in the conveyer slide. A catch e', Fig. 4, for retaining the section in the magazine is released when the lifter reaches the top position, so that the empty section falls out; the lifting plate is then lowered by a continuously rotating worm L; a filled section can then be inserted. The invention is shown applied to a gun of the type described in Specification 227,806, having two conjugated barrels, the recoil of one causing the other to run out. The cartridges are fed by the conveyer on to pivoted jaws Q, Fig. 13, from which they are pushed, first to ona side and then to the other, by a pair of reciprocating arms R. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) comprises also a loading tray, Figs. 17 (Cancelled) and 19 (Cancelled), comprising arms S, S<2> carried by a vertically sliding plate S<1> which is lowered by a lever S<4> operated by a cam plate S<6> which is reciprocated by a stud C<1> on the barrel. When the loading tray descends, the arms S<2> engage the empty cartridge case, the rim of which is in engagement with grooves in the face of the breech-block, and ejects it. When the barrel reaches its run out position, the catch C<3> which retains the breech-block in the rear pisition is released by a lever S<12> operated by the cam plate S<6> through lever and link mechanism. The arms S of the loading tray are mounted to swing laterally as the breechblock goes forwards and are restored to the standing out position by cam mechanism when the slide plate S<1> rises. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.