Patent Abstract:
Semiautomatic or fully automatic firearm, in particular in the form of a rifle or a pistol, containing a barrel whose rear barrel end is in the form of a cartridge chamber into which a projectile can in each case be inserted from the rear; a breech body which is arranged in a breech guide between the cartridge chamber and a rear wall such that it can move in the longitudinal direction between an open position, which releases the cartridge chamber in order to load a projectile, and a closed position which closes the cartridge chamber, wherein, in the closed position, the breech body closes the cartridge chamber at the rear and is used as an opposing bearing for the cartridge case; characterized in that at least one permanent magnet is provided such that, at least in the closed position and in the positions close to the closed position, its magnetic field forces the breech body to the closed position, such that the magnetic force of the at least one permanent magnet simulates a higher mass of the breech body, which acts as an opposing bearing during the firing of a projectile.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a semiautomatic or fully automatic firearm, in particular in the form of a rifle or a pistol, containing a barrel whose rear barrel end is in the form of a cartridge chamber into which a projectile can in each case be inserted from the rear; a breech body which is arranged in a breech guide between the cartridge chamber and a rear wall such that it can move in the longitudinal direction between an open position, which releases the cartridge chamber in order to load a projectile, and a closed position which closes the cartridge chamber, wherein, in the closed position, the breech body closes the cartridge chamber at the rear and is used as an opposing bearing for the cartridge case. 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a firearm with a locked breech and to firearms with an unlocked breech. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    DE 31 30 761 A1 discloses an automatic handheld firearm, in particular an automatic pistol. 
         [0004]    DE 10 2004 021 952 B3 discloses a self-loading handheld firearm. 
         [0005]    FIG. 7 of German Laid-Open Specification 1 001 060 illustrates a firearm having a magnetic return system which has at least one permanent magnet in order to move a firing bolt back after a projectile has been fired. 
         [0006]    Automatic firearms contain a plurality of moving parts, in particular a movable breech body. The breech body should have a high mass in order to withstand the recoil force of the projectile and the recoil forces of the hot gases from the projectile propellant charge. A high material mass makes the firearm heavy. For reasons associated with the capability of the parts to move and the relatively high mass of the breech, the aiming accuracy of automatic firearms is normally not as good as that of repeater rifles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The aim of the invention is to solve the problem of improving the aiming accuracy (aiming precision) of automatic firearms, in a simple manner. 
         [0008]    According to the invention, this problem is solved by a semiautomatic or fully automatic firearm, in particular in the form of a rifle or a pistol, comprising a barrel whose rear barrel end is in the form of a cartridge chamber into which a projectile can in each case be inserted from the rear. A breech body is arranged in a breech guide between the cartridge chamber and a rear wall such that it can move in the longitudinal direction between an open position, which releases the cartridge chamber in order to load a projectile, and a closed position closes the cartridge chamber, wherein, in the closed position, the breech body closes the cartridge chamber at the rear and is used as an opposing bearing for the cartridge case. At least one permanent magnet is provided such that, at least in the closed position and in the positions close to the closed position, its magnetic field forces the breech body to the closed position and the magnetic force of at least one permanent magnet simulates a higher mass of the breech body, which acts as an opposing bearing during the firing of a projectile. 
         [0009]    According to the invention, a semiautomatic or fully automatic firearm is characterized in that at least one permanent magnet is provided such that, at least in the closed position and in the positions close to the closed position, its magnetic field forces the breech body to the closed position, such that the magnetic force of the at least one permanent magnet simulates a higher mass of the breech body, which acts as an opposing bearing during the firing of a projectile. 
         [0010]    The invention advantageously increases the breech body force with which the breech body opposes the recoil forces of the projectile and the propellant-charge gases when a projectile is fired. The at least one permanent magnet simulates a higher mass of the breech body during the firing of a projectile, without the breech body having to be large and heavy in order to actually have the higher mass. 
         [0011]    The invention increases the aiming accuracy of automatic firearms. The invention results in the aiming accuracy of automatic firearms being close to the aiming accuracy of repeater rifles. 
         [0012]    The preferred field of application of the invention is, in particular but not exclusively, sporting weapons and firearms for sharpshooters. 
         [0013]    The invention can be applied to all self-loading firearms. 
         [0014]    For the purposes of the invention, a magnetic force can be produced not only between two or more permanent magnets but also between one or more permanent magnets on the one hand and a body which is composed of ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material, or contains such a material, on the other hand. 
         [0015]    Instead of or in addition to the one and/or the other of the two above-mentioned options of magnetic attraction, it is also possible to force the breech body to its closed position by means of permanent magnets which magnetically repel one another. 
         [0016]    According to one particular embodiment of the invention, the breech body and/or a body which forms the barrel and the cartridge chamber are/is themselves/itself magnetized as a permanent magnet or magnets such that it or they itself or themselves forms or form at least one of the at least one permanent magnets. 
         [0017]    According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, in addition to the at least one permanent magnet, a spring can also be provided and is arranged such that it forces the breech body to the closed position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The invention will be described in the following text with reference to the attached drawings and on the basis of a plurality of embodiments as examples. In the drawings: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a cut-off longitudinal section of a firearm according to the invention, showing a breech body in the closed position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows, schematically, the longitudinal section through the firearm shown in  FIG. 1 , with the breech body being shown in its open position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows, schematically, a side view of the barrel and of a breech body of the firearm shown in  FIG. 1 , with a special arrangement of permanent magnets; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic side view of the barrel and of the breech body shown in  FIG. 1 , with a further embodiment of an arrangement of permanent magnets; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows, schematically, a side view of the barrel and of the breech body shown in  FIG. 1 , with yet another embodiment of an arrangement of permanent magnets; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows, schematically, a cut-off longitudinal section of a further embodiment of a firearm according to the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows, schematically, a cut-off longitudinal section through yet another embodiment of a firearm according to the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  shows, schematically, a cut-off longitudinal section through yet another embodiment of a firearm according to the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  shows a front end view of the breech body shown in  FIG. 1 , with an operating element added; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  shows, schematically, a side view of a further embodiment of a firearm according to the invention with the breech body shown in  FIG. 9  in its closed position, in which mutually attracted permanent magnets are arranged aligned with one another in the barrel longitudinal direction; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  shows the same side view as in  FIG. 10 , but with the breech body in a position rotated relative to the barrel, in which the permanent magnets which are provided for mutual attraction are arranged in the barrel longitudinal direction less or no longer aligned with one another, 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  shows, schematically, a longitudinal section through a further embodiment of a firearm according to the invention, with a breech body being shown in the closed position, 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  shows the firearm shown in  FIG. 12 , with the breech body being shown in the open position, and 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  shows, schematically, a longitudinal section through a further embodiment of a firearm according to the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0033]    Of a firearm  2  according to the invention,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a barrel  4  and a breech body  6 . The rear section of the barrel  4  is in the form of a cartridge chamber  8 . The breech body  6  can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the barrel  4 , in a breech guide  10 , between the closed position as shown in  FIG. 1  and the open position as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    In the closed position as shown in  FIG. 1 , the breech body  6  forms an opposing bearing for absorbing the recoil of a projectile  12  in the cartridge chamber  8  when the propellant charge (not shown) of the projectile  12  is fired. When the propellant charge of the projectile  12  is fired, the cartridge  14  of the projectile  12  is driven through the bore  16  of the barrel  4 , while the cartridge case  18  is held in the cartridge chamber  8  by the breech body  6  against the explosion pressure of the propellant charge. 
         [0035]    After firing, the breech body  6  is moved back to the open position as shown in  FIG. 2 . During this process, the cartridge case  18  is ejected from the breech guide  10 , as a result of which a new projectile  12  can then automatically be inserted into the cartridge chamber  8 . 
         [0036]    In order to fire the propellant charge of the projectile  12 , a firing bolt  20  strikes the center of the rear face of the projectile  12 . 
         [0037]    In order to describe the invention,  FIG. 1  shows the bore axis  22  of the barrel  4  and a center axis  24  (center line), which is aligned with this bore axis  22 , of the breech body  6 . 
         [0038]    In the firearm  2  shown in  FIG. 1 , the breech body  6  has, for example at its front end, at least one permanent magnet  26  ( 26 . 1 - 26 . n ), for example two permanent magnets  26 . 1  and  26 . 2 , of which one magnetic pole, for example the south pole “S” is in each case opposite, in the longitudinal direction of the barrel  4 , a dissimilar magnetic opposing pole, for example the north pole “N” of permanent magnets  28  ( 28 . 1 - 28 . n ), for example permanent magnets  28 . 1  and  28 . 2 , which are provided at the rear end  25  of the cartridge chamber  8 . In consequence, the mutually opposite permanent magnets  26  and  28  attract one another in the barrel longitudinal direction, and thus draw the breech body  6  to its closed position against the cartridge chamber  8 , and hold it in the closed position. 
         [0039]    The permanent magnets  26  are preferably arranged on the front end face  23  of the breech body  6  or are integrated in this front end face  23 , for example by being arranged flush or recessed, or being formed by the breech body  6  itself. 
         [0040]    The permanent magnets  28  are preferably arranged on the rear end face  25  of the cartridge chamber  8  or are integrated in this rear end face  25 , for example by being arranged flush or recessed. 
         [0041]    In addition, a spring  30  can also be provided, for example a compression spring, which is clamped in the barrel longitudinal direction between the rear face  32  of the breech body  6  and a rear wall  34 , which is opposite it in the barrel longitudinal direction, of the breech guide  10 , thus forcing the breech body  6  to its closed position. 
         [0042]    The permanent magnets  26  and  28  may have any desired shapes. For example,  FIG. 3  shows a cartridge chamber  8  with the permanent magnets  28 . 1 ,  28 . 2  and  28 . 3  in the form of bar magnets, as well as a breech body  6  with permanent magnets  26 . 1 ,  26 . 2  and  26 . 3  in the form of bar magnets. The bar magnets extend in the barrel longitudinal direction. In this case, the south poles “S” of the permanent magnets  26  are opposite the north poles “N” of the permanent magnets  28  in the longitudinal direction of the barrel  4 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  shows an arrangement similar to that in  FIG. 3 , but with the permanent magnets  26  and  28  being arranged reversed, such that the north poles of the permanent magnets  26  are opposite the south poles of the permanent magnets  28  in the barrel longitudinal direction. 
         [0044]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the permanent magnets  26  and  28  of the breech body  6  and of the cartridge chamber  8  are arranged such that south poles and north poles follow one another alternately in the circumferential direction around the center axis  24 . 
         [0045]    In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the bar magnets  26  and  28  each extend in the barrel longitudinal direction. 
         [0046]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the bar magnets and  28  ( 26 . 1 ,  26 . 2 ,  28 . 1 ,  28 . 2 ) each extend in the circumferential direction with respect to the bore axis  22  of the barrel  4  and with respect to the center axis  24  of the breech body  6 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment, similar to that shown in  FIG. 1 , of a firearm  2 . 2  according to the invention. In this case, at least one, for example two permanent magnets  28 . 1  and  28 . 2 , are once again attached to the rear end  25  of the cartridge chamber  8  of the barrel  6 , as has been described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 . However, the breech body  6  does not have any permanent magnets at its front end  23  axially opposite the cartridge chamber  8  but, at least at its front end  23 , is composed of ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material, or contains a material such as this there, which is attracted by the magnetic field of the permanent magnets  28 . 1  and  28 . 2 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  shows one embodiment of a firearm  2 . 3  according to the invention, in which the breech body  6  has at least one permanent magnet  26 , for example two permanent magnets  26 . 1  and  26 . 2 , as has been described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , in a known manner on its front end  23  axially opposite the cartridge chamber  8 . However, that end  25  of the cartridge chamber  8  which faces backwards is not provided with a permanent magnet but is composed of ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material, or contains a material such as this, by which the breech body  6  is magnetically attracted by means of the magnetic field of the permanent magnets  26  in the barrel longitudinal direction. Instead of or in addition to this, an element which is adjacent to the cartridge chamber  8  and is arranged axially in a fixed position in the longitudinal direction of the barrel  4 , for example the front section of the breech guide  10 , could also be composed of ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material, or could have such a material. 
         [0049]      FIG. 8  schematically illustrates one embodiment of a firearm  2 . 4  according to the invention, in which at least one, for example two or more, permanent magnets  36  ( 36 . 1  and  36 . 2 ) is or are mounted on the rear face  32  of the breech body  6  and may be formed in a corresponding manner to the permanent magnets in  FIGS. 1 to 5 . At least one, preferably two or more, permanent magnets  38 , for example  38 . 1  and  38 . 2  is or are attached to the breech rear wall  34  such that its or their magnet poles is or are opposite similar magnet poles of the permanent magnets  36  of the breech body  6  in the barrel longitudinal direction, such that they repel one another and thus can force the breech body  6  in the direction from its open position to its closed position, and can hold it in the closed position by the permanent magnetic field. 
         [0050]      FIG. 8  shows mutually opposite north poles of the permanent magnets  36  on the one hand and of the permanent magnets  38  on the other hand. However, according to another embodiment, the south poles “S” could be arranged axially opposite one another. 
         [0051]    The permanent magnets  26  and  28  in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 to 7  are preferably arranged such that an axial air gap  40  remains between them and the opposing element which is magnetically attracted by them and may likewise be a permanent magnet or, in the stated manner, ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material, when the breech body  6  is in the closed position as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  6  and  7 . For example, on its front face, the breech body  6  may have an axial projection  42  which, when the breech body  6  is in the closed position, can rest on the rear end surface  25  of the cartridge chamber  8  thus holding the mutually attracting permanent magnets  26  and  28  from  FIGS. 1 to 5  at an axial distance, or, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 , holding the at least one permanent magnet  28  of the barrel  4  at an axial distance from the front end surface  23  of the breech body  6 , or holding the at least one permanent magnet  26  of the breech body  6  as shown in  FIG. 7  at an axial distance from the rear end surface  25  of the barrel  4 . According to another embodiment, the projection  42  can be axially supported on the projectile  12 . According to yet another embodiment, an axial projection could also be provided at the rear end of the barrel  6  or of the cartridge chamber  8 . According to yet another embodiment, the at least one permanent magnet  26  of the breech body  6  could be arranged set back (recessed) in the breech body  6 , and/or the at least one permanent magnet  28  could be arranged set back (recessed) axially in the cartridge chamber  8 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 9  shows, schematically, a front end view of the breech body  6  shown in  FIG. 1 , but also having an operating element  46 , for example a lever which projects radially. By way of example, four permanent magnets  26 . 1 ,  26 . 2 ,  26 . 3  and  26 . 4  of the at least one permanent magnet  26  are shown. 
         [0053]    The operating element  46  of the breech body  6  is located behind a side aperture opening  50 , or projects into this aperture opening  50 , or through this aperture opening  50 , which is formed in the breech guide  10 . The breech body  6  can thus be rotated relative to the barrel  4  by means of the operating element  46  about the center axis  24  between a magnetically active position, in which the permanent magnets  26  and  28  which magnetically attract one another are arranged opposite one another, essentially completely aligned with one another, in the barrel longitudinal direction, and a magnetically inactive position, such that, in the magnetically inactive position, the at least one permanent magnet  26  of the breech body  6  is positioned rotationally offset with respect to the at least one permanent magnet  28  of the barrel  4 , as a result of which the magnetic attraction force is considerably reduced in the magnetically inactive position, which is shown in  FIG. 11 , or is inactive in comparison to the magnetically active position which is shown in  FIGS. 10 and 1  to  5 . This results in a strong magnetic opposing force for firing of a cartridge  14 , but a considerably reduced, or no magnetic attraction force for the return movement or opening of the breech body  6 , for the ejection of the cartridge case  18  and for the insertion of a new projectile  12 . This makes it considerably easier for the breech body  6  to move back, particularly during the initial movement from the closed position. 
         [0054]    The at least one permanent magnet of the breech body  6 , for example the permanent magnets  26  ( 26 . 1  . . .  26 . n ) and  36  ( 36 . 1  . . .  36 . n ) may, in all embodiments of the invention, be an element added to the breech body  6  or may be formed by the breech body  6  itself, in that the breech body is composed at least partially of material which can be magnetized, and this material which can be magnetized is magnetized as a permanent magnet. 
         [0055]    In all of the embodiments described above, in which at least one permanent magnet is arranged on or in the cartridge chamber  8 , for example the permanent magnets  28  ( 28 . 1  . . .  28 . n ) in  FIGS. 1 to 6  and  FIGS. 10 and 11 , which magnetically draw the breech body  6  to its closed position, these permanent magnets could also be provided on another element which forms an integral part with the cartridge chamber  8 , is attached to the cartridge chamber  8  or can be positioned axially in a fixed position in the longitudinal direction of the barrel  4  in some other manner, such that it cannot be moved in the longitudinal direction of the barrel  4  while a shot is being fired. By way of example, one such element may also be the breech guide  10 . 
         [0056]    The rear wall  34  may be a part of the breech guide  10  or an additional part. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 12 and 13  show a firearm  2 . 5  according to the invention, in which a permanent magnet  56  of the breech body  6  is arranged, in the longitudinal direction of the barrel  4 , axially between a permanent magnet  58  which magnetically attracts it and is arranged axially in a fixed position in the longitudinal direction of the barrel  4 , for example two permanent magnets  58 . 1  and  58 . 2 , and at least one further permanent magnet  68 , which magnetically repels it, for example  68 . 1  and  68 . 2 , with the latter being arranged axially in a fixed position in the longitudinal direction of the barrel  4 . For example, the mutually repelling permanent magnets  56  and  68  are arranged with their south poles “S” axially opposite one another, and the at least one permanent magnet  58 , which magnetically attracts the permanent magnet  56  of the breech body  6 , is, for example, arranged with its north pole axially opposite the south pole of the permanent magnet  56 . 
         [0058]    The permanent magnet  68  which repels the permanent magnet  56  of the breech body  6  is preferably arranged in the rear wall  34  or on a rear section of the breech guide  10 . The permanent magnet  58  which magnetically attracts the permanent magnet  56  of the breech body  6  can be provided in the described manner on or in the cartridge chamber  8  or, corresponding to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , on or in a front section of the breech guide  10 . 
         [0059]    The at least one permanent magnet  56  of the breech body  6  can be arranged on or within the breech body  6 , or may be formed by the breech body  6  itself, or may be formed corresponding to  FIGS. 12 and 13  on a radial annular collar of the breech body  6 . The permanent magnets  58  and  68  which magnetically attract and magnetically repel the at least one permanent magnet  56  of the breech body  6  and are axially in a fixed position are arranged at such a long distance  70  from one another in the longitudinal direction of the barrel  4  that the breech body  6  can be moved through a movement distance  72  within this distance  70  in the longitudinal direction of the barrel  4 , with this movement distance  72  being that which is required in order to move the breech body between its closed position in  FIG. 12  and its open position in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 14  shows, schematically, a longitudinal section through a further embodiment of a firearm  2 . 6  according to the invention, in which the breech body  6  has, at its front end, at least one permanent magnet pole, for example a magnetic north pole “N”, and, at the rear end, a dissimilar permanent magnet pole, for example a magnetic south pole “S”. The two permanent magnet poles may, for example, be formed by two permanent magnets  26  and  56  or by a single permanent magnet, for example by the breech body  6  itself, if it is in the form of a permanent magnet. 
         [0061]    A dissimilar permanent magnet pole, for example a south pole “S”, of at least one permanent magnet  28  is located opposite the front permanent magnet pole, for example a north pole “N”, of the breech body  6 , and is provided on the cartridge chamber  8  (or on another element which is axially in a fixed position relative to it). 
         [0062]    A similar permanent magnet pole, for example a south pole “S”, of at least one permanent magnet  68  is located opposite the rear permanent magnet pole, for example a south pole “S”, of the breech body  6  in the longitudinal direction of the barrel  4  and is arranged axially in a fixed position in the barrel longitudinal direction, for example on or in the rear wall  34 , or is formed by means of the rear wall  34 , and/or is connected to the breech guide  10 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 5