Patent GB-138135-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in automatic firearms
IPC: F41A5/02
Filed: 1918-08-13
Abstract: 138,135. Fairfax, H. W. Gabbett-. Aug. 13, 1918. Machine guns.-Relates to automatic or semiautomatic fire-arms in which the barrel and breech-bolt recoil together, the bolt being unlocked either during, or at the end of, the period of recoil. According to the invention, (1) the breech-bolt is capable of a limited rotary movement in a slidable sleeve and has a radial arm actuated by a reciprocating cam-plate for the locking and unlocking movements; (2) the breech body and cam-plate are connected by chains, wires, &c. with spring-controlled drums for returning the recoiling parts to the firing position; (3) spring buffers, acting alone or in conjunction with friction plates, are employed to cushion the movements of the reciprocating parts; (4) the cartridges are carried in a belt fed by one or more grooved drums actuated by spring stops on a recoiling part; (5) the cartridge belt is capable of being moved automatically so as alternately to move it into a position to aline a cartridge therein with the bore, and to remove it from the path of the recoiling barrel; and (6) the firing-mechanism is actuated by two sears, one operated by the trigger and the other by the action of closing the breech. The Specification also describes a device for facilitating control of fire by a synchronizing-apparatus. The invention is illustrated in section in Fig. 1, in plan in Fig. 2, and in part side-view in Fig. 3 as applied to a machine gun. The breech-bolt C, carried in a sliding non- rotary sleeve B, carries an arm D engaging a cam-slot E in a plate A adapted to reciprocate on a guideway 10 on the side plate L of the gun. The breech body K and cam-plate A are connected respectively by chains 0, R to drums P, S controlled by helical springs housed in the hub.. On discharge, the barrel J, bolt C, sleeve B, and camplate A recoil together, stressing these springs. Towards the end of the recoil, the breech body is cushioned againsb a spring buffer M, and the camplate A rides over a stop Y. When the parts begin to move forwards under the pull from the drums P, S, the stop V arrests the cam-plate A, and the barrel continues its forward movement. whereupon the arm D rides up the cam-slot E and unlocks the bolt: at the same time, the cam-plate A and sleeve B are interlocked by a spring pin H. On reaching its forward position, the barrel is cushioned against a buffer similar to the buffer M. These buffers may be assisted by friction plates, between which other plates on the recoil. ing pares are adapted to pass. The forward movement of the barrel is adapted to rotate feed-drums X carrying a cartridge belt, by reason of the engagement of spring pins Y, Fig. 5, mounted in a frame 13 depending from the breech body K, with a series of grooves 14 on the drums, these drums being alternately inclined and parallel to the axes of the drums. The grooves are stepped down at their ends where the pins pass from the inclined to the axial grooves. A lifting-carriage 21 is provided which is normally held down by springs 24 so that the cartridge belt is out of the path of the recoiling barrel, but is raised to aline a fresh cartridge with the breech by a device connected to the barrel buffer when the barrel reaches its forward position. In order to release the stop V to permit the return of the bolt C, the fresh cartridge, as it is fed towards the breech, is adapted to depress a rod V<1> and, through a bell-crank V<2>, to push rearwards a spring-pressed rod V<3> which co-operates with levers V<4>, V<5> to rotate the stop V. The cam-plate A, sleeve B. and bolt C are then urged forwards by the pull from the drum S, relative rotation being prevented by the pin H. If the cartridge-belt is empty, the breech remains open. A trip plate W is so arranged on the gun that, when the bolt C is arrested in its forward position, it disengages the pin H from the sleeve B, whereupon the continued forward movement of the plate A rotates and locks the bolt. The firing-mechanism comprises a hammer controlled by a sear 18 tripped by a pull on the trigger, and a second sear 16 connected through links 40 to a lever 17 adapted to be tripped by the toe 30 of the cam-plate A at the instant that the breech is locked. The sear 16 may be held by the piston 19 of a Constantinesco or other synchronizing-apparatus to prevent the tripping of this sear, for example on aircraft, when the blade of the propeller is passing before the muzzle of the gun.