Patent Description:
In modern warfare, common, state-of-the-art lightweight drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) systems are widely used for reconnaissance. Only a small portion of the UAV systems are capable of carrying weapons, whereas these weaponized systems are usually large in size and can be subdivided into <NUM> main groups: (<NUM>) medium-altitude long-endurance UAV (MALE UAV) that can be equipped with several missiles (usually laser guided, for example "Hellfire"); and (<NUM>) suicide drones with single explosive head, whereas these weapons are lethal, very expensive and cause extensive collateral damage. Small firearms, on the other hand, have low collateral damage, but are not used with drones because of their high precision aiming requirements and their strong recoil force.

The idea of arming small drones has been around for a few years. In <NUM>, the U. Navy experimented with arming quadcopters with shotguns as counter-sniper weapons, but eventually they halted the project.

"Recoilless rifles" are a type of firearm known in art, but currently not mounted on drones. According to Wikipedia, "a recoilless rifle, recoilless launcher or recoilless gun is a type of lightweight artillery system that is designed to eject some form of counter-mass such as propellant gas from the rear of the weapon at the moment of firing, creating forward thrust that counteract most of the weapon's recoil.

All prior art "recoilless" systems are designed for a single shoot and use special purpose ammunition, for high caliber launchers, that were specially developed for that purpose.

The term "lightweight drone", as referred to herein, is a drone that can be carried by foot soldiers.

The idea for using a gun or a sniper rifle attached to a "lightweight drone" is not quite applicable because of the recoil force formed during the shooting, which recoil force is applied to the drone and its components, and thereby pushes the drone far away from its original flying path and completely destabilize the guidance system including the gimbal(s) and the gun. Thereby, making it impossible to fire a second shot at the same target, right after firing the first shot.

Furthermore, when shooting from the air, it is typically required to aim downwards toward a target on the ground. As such, when shooting takes place, a lightweight drone is likely to flip over.

According to "<NPL>" suggests a way of dealing with the firearm recoil by providing a special gimbal platform using some flexible plates.

In another article in "<NPL>, the creators of the Tikad system <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>, say that the Tikad has a unique suppression firing and stabilization solution. The weapon <NUM> is mounted on a robotic gimbal <NUM>, which turns in real time, keeping its pointed aim in the desired direction. The recoil is distributed through flexible plates to minimize the overall effect, however, minimizing, but not eliminating, the recoil force.

The current Tikad prototype is complexed weigh around <NUM> Kilogram, and due to weight problems, it can stay airborne for about <NUM> minutes. Weapon <NUM> does not provide escaping that is equal and opposite reaction, and while the efficiency of Tikad system <NUM> as a gunnery platform remains unproven, it is well known that even in further versions the system is too heavy to be carried by single person or even a number of soldiers, while airtime duration remains very limited.

Successful attempts to couple a recoilless firearm system with a lightweight drone, in particular, without limitations, hovering drones such as quadcopter drones (also referred to herein as "multicopter drones"), are not known in the art. In particular, without limitations, recoilless firearm system for multicopter drones that are configured to shoot standard ammunition.

There is therefore a need, and it would be advantageous to provide "recoilless" firearm systems that fire standard ammunition known in art. Preferably, the system is a lightweight system that can be carried by single person, can be used repeatably and can typically stay in the air for at least <NUM> minutes.

Further prior art is described in <CIT> and <CIT>.

The invention is defined by independent claims <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

The principal intentions of the present disclosure include providing a small, lightweight and mobile air-born robots to meet modem warfare needs. For example, drones that can access any locations by air and have the capacity to carry a firearm that can aim and fire multiple shots, with non-lethal or lethal capabilities. The drone system, including the drone and the firearm, should be a single-man-portable and have long enough operational time to be able to patrol and intercept terror attacks from individuals, military, drones, kites, balloons and the like.

In order to achieve these goals, the firearm system is designed to meet several requirements:.

It should be noted that although the present disclosure describes several recoilless methods and firearm aiming mechanisms, the overall goal of the present disclosure is to provide a recoilless firearm system, where the firearm is attached to a coupled drone.

According to the teachings of the present disclosure there is provided a recoilless firearm apparatus for firing at least one bullet of a respective standard cartridge, including a front barrel having an inner-barrel-diameter and a rear cartridge-chamber; a disposable firing activator; and a rear discharge opening formed behind the front barrel, aligned with the longitudinal axis of the front barrel. The standard cartridge further includes a casing having an external diameter that is smaller than the rear cartridge-chamber diameter, wherein the casing encloses a sealed inner-casing space that contains gunpowder, and wherein the casing includes a primer.

Upon activating the primer, the primer explodes to thereby detonate the gunpowder, forming propellant gasses inside the cartridge that are directed both forward and backward as follows:.

the bullet, to thereby eject the casing from the firearm apparatus via the rear discharge opening.

The recoilless firearm apparatus further including a disposable firing pin, wherein the activating of the primer is performed by the firing pin hitting the primer, and wherein the disposable firing pin is ejected with the casing from the firearm apparatus via the rear discharge opening.

The disposable firing activator may be an electric contact configured to transfer electric power from a side located electrode to the primer to thereby activate the primer, wherein the disposable firing activator is ejected with the casing from the firearm apparatus via the rear discharge opening.

The disposable firing activator may be a firing pin, wherein the activating of the primer is performed by the firing pin hitting the primer, and wherein the disposable firing pin is ejected with the casing from the firearm apparatus via the rear discharge opening.

The disposable firing-pin may include: a) a pin-body having a body having a pin-front-end, being an open end, and a pin-rear-end; b) a pin disposed at the pin-front-end; and c) at least one pin-wing disposed at the pin-rear-end.

When in a cocked state, the standard cartridge rear is seated inside the cartridge-chamber and the pin is positioned in safe proximity to the primer. The firing pin is made of rigid materials, wherein the parts of the firing-pin, including the at least one pin-wing, are made of deformable or breakable materials, such that when applying an excess force Fe onto the at least one pin-wing, the at least one pin-wing deforms or breaks.

Optionally, the disposable firing-pin includes a pin-body having a body having a pin-front-end, being an open end, a frontal-body-section and a rear-body-section having a pin-rear-end with a larger diameter end. The disposable firing-pin may further include a pin disposed at said pin-front-end, wherein the larger diameter of the pin-rear-end is configured to seal the rear discharge opening.

Again, when in a cocked state, the standard cartridge rear is seated inside said cartridge-chamber and the pin is positioned in safe proximity to the primer. The firing pin is made of rigid materials, wherein at least said rear-body-section, including the larger diameter end, is made of deformable or breakable materials, such that when applying an excess force Fe onto said firing pin, the firing pin deforms or breaks.

The recoilless firearm apparatus may further include a piped bolt-hammering-unit, having a bolt-front-face and a bolt-rear-face, and includes a body having a bolt-inner-opening formed there within. The bolt-inner-opening is larger than the external diameter of the casing, allowing free longitudinal motion of the casing there inside. The pin-wings have a wing-span that is larger than the bolt-inner-opening, wherein when the firearm is in a cocked state, the bolt-front-face is positioned in safe proximity to the pin-wings. The activating of the primer is performed by applying a unidirectional forward force on the piped bolt-hammering-unit that pushes forward the disposable firing pin and, thereby, the pin activates of the primer.

Upon the activating of the primer by the pin of the disposable firing pin, the formed propellant gasses push the casing and the disposable firing pin backwards by the recoil force Fp, where Fp >> Fe, thereby upon the pin-wings hitting the bolt-front-face of the piped bolt-hammering-unit, the pin-wings deform or break, and thereby, the casing and the deformed disposable firing pin continue to move through the bolt-inner-opening and eject from the firearm apparatus via the rear discharge opening.

The recoilless firearm apparatus may further include a recoilless-cartridge-assembly, a ribbed bolt-hammering-unit and a unidirectional energy transfer mechanism.

The recoilless-cartridge-assembly includes a standard cartridge and a detonation assembly. The detonation assembly includes a cylindrical-envelope having an inner diameter, an external diameter, a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end operatively faces the front barrel. The detonation assembly further includes a cylindrical-envelope, a rear plug and a disposable firing pin.

Typically, the cylindrical-envelope has an inner diameter, an external diameter, a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end operatively faces said front barrel. The rear plug securely encloses the inner diameter of the rear end of the cylindrical-envelope. The disposable firing pin includes a pin-body, at least one wing having a wing-span diameter, wherein the wing-span diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical-envelope, and a pin.

At least one through slits is formed in the cylindrical-envelope, one slit for each respective wing. Each of the slit extends from the front end of the cylindrical-envelope to the rear end of the cylindrical-envelope. The slits segment the cylindrical-envelope into separate peripheral segments, wherein the rear end of each peripheral segment is sloped, starting at a first rear corner at each of the peripheral segment, and ending at the other corner of that peripheral segment and at a predesigned distance from the rear end of the rear plug.

When the detonation assembly is operatively assembled, each slit accommodates the open end of a respective wing, wherein, when the recoilless-cartridge-assembly is operatively assembled, the detonation assembly embraces the primary casing of the primary cartridge unit.

The ribbed bolt-hammering-unit includes a piped body and at least one directing rib. The piped body includes an inner base-opening forming an inner wall, a front face; and a rear face. The at least one directing rib protruding inwardly from the inner wall of the inner base-opening, at a preconfigured location, wherein the at least one directing rib is adapted to operatively engage with the open end of a respective wing.

The unidirectional energy transfer mechanism is designed such that wherein the number of the peripheral segments, the number of the wings, the number of the slits and the number of the directing ribs are equal. The bolt-inner-opening is defined by the tips of the directing ribs. The unidirectional energy transfer mechanism is configured to allow the bolt-hammering-unit to move forward freely, and to controllably block the bolt-hammering-unit from moving backward. The unidirectional energy transfer mechanism is adapted to apply the forward motion of the bolt-hammering-unit. While moving forward, when each of the directing ribs of the bolt-hammering-unit meets the sloped rear ends of a respective peripheral segment. It should be appreciated that any motion limitation mechanism, known in art as a "breechblock locking mechanism", can be used as a unidirectional linear motion to block rearward motion of the bolt-hammer-unit, while in a cocked state.

The method of operating the unidirectional energy transfer mechanism includes the steps of:.

wherein upon reaching the primer of the standard cartridge, being disposed inside the rear cartridge-chamber in a cocked state, the pin impacts the primer to thereby causing the primer explosion and detonation of the gunpowder inside the casing.

The recoilless firearm apparatus may further include a recoil compensator that is securely attached to the front barrel, adapted to operatively compensate for the difference in forces ΔF, between a recoil force Fp, and the sum of the excess force Fe, the weight of the casing and all parts of the firing-pin. The recoil compensator may be a muzzle-brake or a jet nozzle.

In some embodiments, the recoilless firearm apparatus further includes a piped bolt-hammering-unit and a unidirectional energy transfer (being a motion limiting mechanism). The piped bolt-hammering-unit includes a piped body and at least one groove formed in the front face, wherein the. The piped body includes a bolt-inner-opening, wherein the at least one wing has a wing-span diameter, and wherein the wing-span diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the piped body. The piped body further includes an external diameter, a bolt-front-face, and a bolt-rear-face. The at least one groove is adapted to respectively accommodate the at least one wing.

The unidirectional energy transfer is configured to allow the piped hammering-unit to move forward freely, and to controllably block the piped hammering-unit from moving backward.

The unidirectional energy transfer is adapted to apply the forward motion of the piped hammering-unit. While moving forward, the piped hammering-unit is configured to collect the disposable firing-pin, and wherein the at least one wings is seated inside the at least one groove, respectively.

Upon reaching the primary cartridge, being in a cocked state, the pin impacts the primary primer of the primary cartridge to thereby detonate the gunpowder inside the primary casing, forming propellant gasses that are directed forward and backward as follows:.

Optionally, the disposable firing pin is provided by a band magazine, and wherein a respective the firing pin is dispatched from the band magazine by the moving forward piped hammering-unit.

The unidirectional energy transfer mechanism controls the motion of the bolt-hammering-unit, and wherein the motion may be a linear motion, a rotational motion or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the recoilless firearm apparatus further includes a recoil-prevention mechanism, wherein the recoil-prevention mechanism includes a rear barrel, having the rear discharge opening, and a dual-cartridge firearm magazine. The dual-cartridge firearm magazine is configured to receive the standard cartridge, and a counterweight having a primer activator. the standard cartridge and the secondary cartridge are arranged in a back-to-back configuration.

The primer activator is operatively placed between the primer of the primary cartridge and the counterweight, such that the primer activator is aligned with the primer. The bullet of the primary cartridge is configured to be fired via the front barrel and the secondary cartridge is configured to be fired via the rear barrel. Upon detonation of the primary cartridge and, the generated recoil force pushes the casing and the counterweight rearwardly, to thereby eject the casing and the counterweight from the firearm apparatus via the rear discharge opening.

Optionally, the dual-cartridge firearm magazine is an electronic dual-cartridge firearm magazine having a high voltage module, wherein the primary cartridge is a combat cartridge, and the counterweight is an electronic cartridge, wherein the electronic cartridge includes:.

wherein the sealing unit that also serves as a counterweight,.

Upon receiving an electronic ignition trigger by the high voltage module, the dual-ignition electric circuit is activated to thereby turn on the electronic ignition heater and thereby:.

It should be appreciated that the sealing unit and the propellant gasses serves as a counterweight to the weight of the primary bullet.

According to the teachings of the present disclosure there is provided a hovering firearm system including a hovering subsystem configured to lift a recoilless firearm apparatus to the air and fly towards a designated target, and a mounting platform, wherein the recoilless firearm is securely attached to the mounting platform. Upon firing the at least one bullet, the remaining residual recoil force allows the hovering firearm system to continue a controlled flight.

Optionally, the platform includes a first gimbal having a carrying face, and wherein the recoilless firearm apparatus is mounted on the first gimbal.

Optionally, the hovering firearm system further includes an electro-optical module having a camera, wherein the camera has an optical line of sight aimed to the target.

Optionally, the electro-optical module is attached to the first gimbal.

Optionally, the hovering firearm system further includes a second gimbal, wherein the second gimbal is independent of the first gimbal, and wherein the electro-optical module is attached to the second gimbal. The second gimbal may be independent of the first gimbal, and optionally, the second gimbal is mounted on the first gimbal.

The optical line of sight may be controllably aligned with the recoilless firearm to thereby facilitate sequential shootings at the target without losing the boresight.

The aligning of the optical line of sight boresight (boresighting) may be either mechanical alignment or electronic boresighting utilizing shift or image crosser motion.

Optionally, the boresighting includes locking of the line of sight on the target, and controllably aligning the longitudinal axis of the front barrel with the optical line of sight of the camera.

Optionally, the boresighting is updated in real-time using ballistic calculations, wind vector calculations or a combination thereof.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, there is provided a bidirectional recoilless firearm apparatus for firing at least one bullet of a respective standard cartridge having a standard caliber. This recoilless firearm includes a front barrel having an inner-barrel-diameter and a rear cartridge-chamber having a rear cartridge-chamber diameter configured to receive the standard cartridge; a disposable firing activator; and a recoil-prevention mechanism, wherein the recoil-prevention mechanism includes a rear barrel, having the rear discharge opening, and a dual-cartridge firearm magazine. The dual-cartridge firearm magazine is configured to receive the standard cartridge, being a primary cartridge, a secondary cartridge, and a dual firing pin unit having a primary pin and a secondary pin. The secondary cartridge includes a secondary sealed casing that includes gunpowder and a secondary primer, wherein the primary cartridge and the secondary cartridge are arranged in a back-to-back configuration.

The dual firing pin unit is operatively placed between the primer of said primary cartridge and the secondary primer, such that the primary pin is aligned with the primer of the primary cartridge and the secondary pin is aligned with the secondary primer. The bullet of the primary cartridge is configured to be fired via the front barrel and the secondary cartridge is configured to be fired via the rear barrel. Upon simultaneous detonation of the primary cartridge and, the recoil force generated by the secondary cartridge cancels the recoil force generated by the primary cartridge.

Optionally, the primary cartridge and the secondary cartridge are of identical type, wherein the front barrel and the rear barrel are not equal in length, and wherein upon simultaneous detonation of the primary cartridge and, the recoil force generated by the secondary cartridge cancels the recoil force generated by the primary cartridge.

Optionally, the recoil-prevention mechanism further includes a recoil compensator, to thereby compensate for inequalities between the recoil forces generated by the primary cartridge and the secondary cartridge.

Optionally, the primary cartridge and the secondary cartridge are not of identical type, wherein the front barrel and the rear barrel are not equal in length. Upon simultaneous detonation of the primary cartridge, the recoil force generated by the secondary cartridge cancels the recoil force generated by the primary cartridge. Preferably, the recoil-prevention mechanism further includes a recoil compensator, to thereby compensate for inequalities between the recoil forces generated by the primary cartridge and the secondary cartridge.

Optionally, the primary cartridge is a combat cartridge, and the secondary cartridge is a dummy cartridge. The recoil compensator may be a muzzle-brake or a jet nozzle.

According to the teachings of the present disclosure there is provided a recoilless-cartridge-assembly including a standard cartridge and a detonation assembly. The detonation assembly includes a cylindrical-envelope having an inner diameter, an external diameter, a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end operatively faces the front barrel. The detonation assembly further includes a cylindrical-envelope, a rear plug and a disposable firing pin.

The rear plug securely encloses the inner diameter of the rear end of the cylindrical-envelope. The disposable firing pin includes a pin-body, at least one wing having a wing-span diameter, wherein the wing-span diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical-envelope, and a pin. At least one through slits is formed in the cylindrical-envelope, one slit for each respective wing. Each of the slit extends from the front end of the cylindrical-envelope to the rear end of the cylindrical-envelope. The slits segment the cylindrical-envelope into separate peripheral segments.

Optionally, the rear end of each peripheral segment is sloped, starting at a first rear corner at of each peripheral segment, and ending at the other corner of that peripheral segment and at a predesigned distance from the rear end of the rear plug. When the detonation assembly is operatively assembled, each slit accommodates the open end of a respective wing, wherein, when the recoilless-cartridge-assembly is operatively assembled, the detonation assembly embraces the primary casing of the primary cartridge unit. The rear end of each of the sloped peripheral segment may include two slopes, each leading towards a respective neighboring slit.

The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limitative of the present disclosure, and wherein:.

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided, so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

An embodiment is an example or implementation of the disclosures. The various appearances of "one embodiment," "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Although various features of the disclosure may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the disclosure may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the disclosure may also be implemented in a single embodiment.

Reference in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "some embodiments" or "other embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the disclosures. It is understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only.

Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as to which the disclosure belongs, unless otherwise defined. The present disclosure can be implemented in the testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

It should be noted that orientation related descriptions such as "bottom", "up", "upper", "down", "lower", "top" and the like, assumes that the associated item, such as the firearm system or a portion thereof, is operationally situated.

Reference is made back to the drawings. <FIG> illustrates an example hovering firearm system <NUM>, having a single gimbal <NUM> with one or more axes, according to aspects of the present disclosure. Firearm system <NUM> further includes a firearm <NUM> and an electro-optical (EO) module <NUM>. In this embodiment, firearm <NUM> and EO module <NUM> are attached, with no limitations, to same carrying face <NUM> of gimbal <NUM>, wherein EO module <NUM> includes a camera having an optical line of sight, which is boresight with firearm <NUM>. It should be noted that gimbal <NUM> can have one or more axes of motion.

It should be further noted that terms "boresight" or "boresighting", as used in this disclosure, refer to methods of adjustment made to an optical line of sight, coupled with a firearm barrel, to align the firearm barrel with the optical line of sight. The boresighting between firearm <NUM> and electro-optical module <NUM> can be done using mechanical boresighting or electronic image shift/crosser motion, wherein the electronic boresighting may be updated in real-time using ballistic calculations, wind vector calculations or both.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, showing a top perspective view illustration of another example of a hovering firearm system <NUM>, according to aspects of the present disclosure, wherein the firearm system <NUM> includes two independent gimbals. Firearm <NUM> is still attached to gimbal <NUM>, while EO module <NUM> is attached to gyro-stabilized gimbal <NUM>. Both gimbals <NUM> and <NUM> can have one or more axes of motion, wherein both gimbals <NUM> and <NUM> are mounted on common platform (not shown), for example a drone. The present invention will be described herein, with no limitations, the term "common platform" being a drone, but the common platform can be, within the scope of the present invention, any moving platform.

The steering signals from a control unit <NUM> are used to control the EO gyro-stabilized gimbal <NUM>, wherein the position report signals of EO gyro-stabilized gimbal <NUM> are used to control the firearm gimbal <NUM>, to thereby allow both gimbals to reach the same angular positioning, where both gimbals <NUM> and <NUM> are pointing to the same target within predefined error range/envelop.

Reference is also made to <FIG>, illustrating a controlled trigger-delay scheme <NUM> for firearm system <NUM>. Preferably, the optical line of sight of the EO module <NUM>, being attached to gyro-stabilized gimbal <NUM>, is controlled by EO control unit <NUM>, wherein gimbal <NUM> is predesigned to be fast enough to provide the user with real-time stabilized image, while firearm gimbal <NUM> may have slower response and may use a different motor type to provide firearm aiming, being a heavier unit.

Once a trigger pulse <NUM> is sent to control unit <NUM>, the firearm triggering is delayed until both gimbals - firearm gimbal <NUM> and EO gyro-stabilized gimbal <NUM> are pointing to the same target within predefined error envelop <NUM>. The angular error <NUM> between firearm <NUM> and EO module <NUM> is calculated and compared with the maximum allowed angular error <NUM>. The angular error <NUM> is calculated from the X/Y positions signal <NUM> of firearm gimbal <NUM>, to which the firearm barrel is coupled, and the X/Y positions signal <NUM> of EO gyro-stabilized gimbal <NUM>, to which the optical line of sight of the EO module <NUM> is coupled. If angular error <NUM> ≤ maximum allowed angular error <NUM>, the firearm trigger pulse is forwarded to firearm <NUM>. Else boresighting shift between firearm gimbal <NUM> and EO gyro-stabilized gimbal <NUM>, continuous, until angular error <NUM> ≤ maximum allowed angular error <NUM>. Once inside the maximum allowed angular error <NUM>, the shot is executed. It should be noted that boresight shift between the gimbals is preferably calculated in real-time, using ballistic calculations, wind vector calculations or both.

Reference is also made to <FIG>, illustrating a top perspective view of an example hovering firearm system <NUM>, according to aspects of the present disclosure, the firearm system including two interdependent gimbals. Hovering firearm system <NUM> is similar to firearm system <NUM>, but instead of using two independent gimbals <NUM> and <NUM>, the EO gyro-stabilized gimbal <NUM> is attached onto firearm gimbal <NUM>, forming a single, interdependent apparatus.

Being attached to same base point, the angular error formed is lower than in the firearm system <NUM> configuration, due to the non-linearity of encoders involved. Thus, in apparatus <NUM> ("EO gimbal <NUM> on firearm gimbal <NUM>") the boresight position is always reached by firearm gimbal <NUM>, as the angular position of EO gimbal <NUM> is centripetal and thereby proximal to the EO center point.

It is a further aspect of the present disclosure to provide a firearm having a recoil-prevention mechanism, while using off-the-shelf ammunition.

According to some aspects of the present invention, there are provided firearm recoil-prevention mechanisms utilizing active recoil cancellation. The active recoil cancellation uses an additional cartridge/combustion powder that generates a thrust force that is predesigned to cancel the recoil of the primary cartridge by providing a counter symmetric thrust in a direction that is exactly opposite to the direction of recoil generated by the detonated primary cartridge.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, showing a top, partial cross-section view of an active recoil cancelation mechanism <NUM>, according to aspects of the present disclosure. The active recoil cancelation mechanism <NUM> apparatus takes the form of a dual-cartridge assembly. The active recoil cancelation mechanism <NUM> includes a dual-cartridge assembly <NUM>, configured to accommodate one or more pairs of a primary cartridge <NUM> and a secondary cartridge <NUM>, and a dual firing pin unit <NUM> having dual firing pins.

Each pair of cartridges includes a primary cartridge <NUM> and secondary cartridge <NUM> that are arranged back-to-back inside the dual-cartridge assembly <NUM>, wherein each cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>) can be a common cartridge, having a bullet (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a bullet casing (<NUM>, <NUM>). The primary cartridge <NUM> is a "combat" cartridge, while the secondary cartridge <NUM> can be any kind of a "dummy" cartridge.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the dual-cartridge assembly <NUM> is a symmetric dual-cartridge assembly <NUM>. Upon applying a hammering force onto both cartridges (<NUM> and <NUM>) a chain reaction of both cartridges (<NUM> and <NUM>) begins. The dual firing pin unit <NUM> splits the hammer force between respective primers (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the cartridge cases (<NUM>, <NUM>), to thereby generate simultaneous ignition of both cartridges (<NUM> and <NUM>), to thereby detonate the respective gunpowder (<NUM>, <NUM>) stored there inside, and generated respective thrusts (<NUM>, <NUM>), whereby equal recoil forces are formed by the generated thrusts (<NUM>, <NUM>). The recoil force formed by the generated thrust <NUM> is equal to the recoil force formed by the generated thrust <NUM>, whereas by being in opposite directions, the two recoil forces cancel each other.

It should be noted that in order to simplify the operation of the firearm, dual-cartridge assembly <NUM> is configured as a single unit that is loaded into firearm corresponding feeding mechanism (not shown).

It should be noted that the embodiment principle of active recoil cancelation apparatus <NUM>, may be implemented is various variations as shown in the following examples, all of which are within the scope of the present invention.

<FIG> illustrates a top, partial cross-section view of one example embodiment of a firearm <NUM> of the dual-cartridge assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Firearm <NUM> includes a front ("combat") barrel <NUM> and a rear ("dummy") barrel <NUM>, wherein front barrel <NUM> and a rear barrel <NUM> are equal in length. Both primary cartridge <NUM> and secondary cartridge <NUM> are of the same type, including the same weight and quantity of gunpowder (<NUM>, <NUM>). In this example the front combat barrel <NUM> is fixed while the rear barrel <NUM> is utilized as a hammer is used to transfer the detonation impact energy, as described hereabove.

Upon simultaneously activating dual firing pin unit <NUM> on both primers <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, the recoil force formed by the generated thrusts <NUM> and <NUM>, whereas by being in exact opposite directions, the two recoil forces cancel each other, while the front bullet <NUM> ejects from front barrel <NUM> in a forward direction and the rear bullet <NUM> ejects from rear barrel <NUM> in a backward direction.

It should be further noted that when using common cartridges (<NUM>, <NUM>), there are often variations in the gunpowder (<NUM>, <NUM>) quantity, the respective primers (<NUM>, <NUM>), etc. Furthermore, the dual barrels firearm <NUM> has about double the size and double the weight of a compatible single barrel firearm. To overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies of firearm <NUM>, the following improved embodiments are described.

It should be further noted that the bullet (<NUM>, <NUM>) in each common cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>) has a rear section and a front section, wherein the rear section of the bullet seals the front end of the casing (<NUM>, <NUM>). The barrel of the firearm has an inner-barrel-diameter Df, the rear section of a bullet (<NUM>, <NUM>) has an external diameter that is fitted to the inner-barrel-diameter Df of the respective firearm barrel (that is, the rear section of a bullet (<NUM>, <NUM>) has an external diameter that is slightly larger than the inner-barrel-diameter Df of the respective firearm barrel to thereby obtain a sealing effect, to maximize the respective thrust force, whereas the bullet is made of a much softer material than the material of the respective barrel). Furthermore, the casing (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the respective cartridge has an external diameter that is larger than the inner-barrel-diameter Dr.

<FIG> illustrates a top, partial cross-section view of one example embodiment of a firearm <NUM> of the dual-cartridge assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG>, wherein the dual-cartridge assembly <NUM> is utilized as a first asymmetric dual-cartridge assembly. As in firearm <NUM>, firearm <NUM> includes a front ("combat") barrel <NUM> and a rear ("dummy") barrel <NUM>, however, front barrel <NUM> and a rear barrel <NUM> are not equal in length. Front barrel <NUM> has a normal length adapted to shoot front bullet <NUM> forward therethrough at a preconfigured ballistic path. Rear barrel <NUM> is shorter than the length of front bullet <NUM>. The primary cartridge <NUM> is a "combat" cartridge, while the secondary cartridge <NUM> may be a "combat" cartridge of the same type or just dummy or blank cartridge. As such, firearm <NUM> is preconfigured to the have primary cartridge <NUM> generate a recoil force <NUM> (Fp) that is higher than the recoil force <NUM> (Fs) generated by secondary cartridge <NUM>, such that: Fs + ΔF = Fp.

The difference in thrust forces ΔF between the primary and secondary cartridges (<NUM> and <NUM>) is compensated using an additional recoil compensation element - a muzzle-brake <NUM>. Generally, a recoil compensator (such as, with no limitations, a muzzle brake) is a device known in the art that is connected to the muzzle of a firearm and redirects propellant gasses to counter recoil and unwanted muzzle rise. In firearm <NUM>, muzzle-brake <NUM> is configured to compensate for the difference in thrust forces ΔF, by redirecting some of the primary cartridge propellant gasses. Muzzle-brake <NUM>, in conjunction with the recoil force <NUM> generated by secondary cartridge <NUM>, combine into a force that is equal to the recoil force <NUM> (Fp) generated by primary cartridge <NUM> in direction opposite to primary cartridge recoil Fp.

The advantage of firearm <NUM> over firearm <NUM>, is having lower firearm length and lower firearm weight, and can use a secondary ammunition unit that is has a lighter weight than the weight of the primary cartridge <NUM>, such as, with no limitations, a dummy secondary cartridge <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the disbalance between the primary and secondary cartridges (<NUM> and <NUM>, respectively) gunpowder (<NUM>, <NUM>) charges has less effect, since the recoil force <NUM> of the primary cartridge <NUM> and the "muzzle brake" thrust force <NUM> are both generated by the primary cartridge gunpowder <NUM>. Thus, the muzzle-brake <NUM> is designed proportionally, in order to keep the following balance: Fs + ΔF = Fp. For example, if the <NUM> is designed to reduce the required rear recoil force <NUM> (Fs) by half, that is ΔF = <NUM>Fp, the required rear recoil force <NUM> (Fs) is also Fs = <NUM>Fp, a disbalance between the primary and secondary cartridges (<NUM> and <NUM>, respectively) gunpowder (<NUM>, <NUM>) charges has only half the effect compared to when Fs = Fp. It should be appreciated that another recoil reduction element, such as a jet nozzle may be placed at end of the rear barrel <NUM>, wherein the rear jet nozzle generates forward thrust from exhaust propellant gasses.

It should be appreciated that a recoil compensator such as a muzzle-brake or a jet nozzle may be placed on either the front barrel or the rear barrel, as needed, to compensate for an expected difference in recoil thrust forces ΔF.

According to further variations of the present disclosure, <FIG> illustrates a top, partial cross-section view of a dual-cartridge assembly <NUM>, according to aspects of the present disclosure, wherein the dual-cartridge assembly <NUM> is utilized as a second asymmetric dual-cartridge assembly, and wherein a disposable secondary cartridge <NUM> contains an electric ignition circuit.

Dual-cartridge assembly <NUM> uses the same principles of active recoil cancelation <NUM> apparatus, wherein each pair of cartridges includes a primary cartridge <NUM> and secondary cartridge <NUM> that are arranged back-to-back inside a dual-cartridge firearm magazine assembly <NUM> being a recoilless cartridge assembly and wherein primary cartridge <NUM> is preferably a common, off-the-shelf cartridge.

Reference is also made to <FIG> that illustrates a top, partial cross-section view of one example embodiment of a firearm <NUM> of the dual-cartridge assembly <NUM>. The secondary cartridge <NUM> is an innovative cartridge having an electric, dual-ignition circuit built-in. Secondary cartridge <NUM> further includes an electronic ignition heater <NUM> and a firing pin unit <NUM> that is an integral part of secondary casing <NUM>. Secondary cartridge <NUM> further includes a sealing unit <NUM> that can also serve as a counterweight to the weight of primary cartridge <NUM>, in addition to propellant gasses that find their way out.

Upon receiving an electronic ignition trigger a high voltage module <NUM> turned on the electronic ignition heater <NUM> to thereby detonate the gunpowder <NUM> disposed inside secondary casing <NUM>. As a result of that detonation, secondary casing <NUM> is shifted forward and firing pin unit <NUM> detonates the primer <NUM> of primary cartridge <NUM>. The rest of the chain reaction is similar to that described with respect to firearm <NUM>, wherein secondary casing <NUM> is ejected in direction <NUM> out of a rear barrel <NUM>. The electronic ignition voltage is transferred, for example, with no limitations, to primary cartridge <NUM> via two (or more) electrodes (<NUM> and <NUM>) and primary cartridge <NUM>, wherein cartridge assembly <NUM> is made from a dielectric material.

The main advantage of dual-cartridge assembly <NUM> is that a mechanical hammer firing mechanism is not required, therefore simplifying the feeding mechanism and the synchronization of the ignition process.

Another advantage of the electronic ignition is that the order in which the cartridges are ignited is known, whereas when the order in which the cartridges are ignited is unknown, the firearm has an unpredictable barrel motion during the fire process (since the physical properties ammunition units are not perfectly repeatable), which may cause growing divergence of the bullets and increase the spread.

It should be appreciated that firearm <NUM> is preconfigured to the have primary cartridge <NUM> generate a recoil force <NUM> (Fp) that is higher than the recoil force <NUM> (Fs2) generated by secondary cartridge <NUM>, such that: ΔF = Fp, - Fs2. Hence, similar to muzzle-brake <NUM>, the difference in thrust forces ΔF between the primary and secondary cartridges (<NUM> and <NUM>) is compensated using an additional recoil compensation element - a muzzle-brake <NUM>.

In variations of the present invention, an electrical ignition mechanism is used. An example prior art electrical ignition mechanism is a rifle manufactured by Remington: Model <NUM> EtronX, which uses an electronic primer ignition system.

Reference is also made to <FIG> including a cartridge <NUM> having a bullet <NUM> and a bullet casing <NUM> containing a primer <NUM>. <FIG> further illustrates a counter-weight <NUM> having an electric arc generation unit <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an example firearm <NUM> that utilizes cartridge and counter-weight sub-system shown in <FIG>. Firearm <NUM> includes a front barrel <NUM> and a rear barrel <NUM>. Firearm <NUM> further includes an electrical ignition mechanism <NUM> configured to generate a high ignition voltage that is applied via two electrodes (<NUM> and <NUM>), for example to bullet casing <NUM> and to counter-weight <NUM>, wherein both said bullet casing <NUM> and said counter-weight <NUM> are made from conductive materials and separated by an insulator (for example insulator <NUM>). By way of example, insulator <NUM> has an opening formed at the middle, facing primer <NUM>. Thus, when electricity is applied to electrodes <NUM> and <NUM>, an electric arc <NUM> is formed between said counter-weight <NUM> and said primer <NUM>. To better centralize the electric arc a conductive protrusion extends from said counter-weight <NUM> and towards said primer <NUM>. The electric arc <NUM> heats primer <NUM>, to thereby detonate gunpowder <NUM> inside bullet casing <NUM>. As a result of that detonation, casing <NUM> is shifted forward and firing pin unit <NUM> detonates the primer <NUM> of primary cartridge <NUM>. The rest of the chain reaction is similar to that described with respect to firearm <NUM>, wherein bullet casing <NUM>, insulator <NUM> and counter-weight <NUM> are ejected in direction <NUM> out of a rear barrel <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that at least one or both electrodes (<NUM> and <NUM>) are electrically insulated from the gun barrels (<NUM> and <NUM>). According to some aspects of the present invention, there are provided recoil-prevention mechanisms using an off-the-shelf cartridge with a single gunpowder charge, wherein the generated gunpowder energy is split between the bullet that is fired through the firearm front barrel, and the bullet/casing that used as counter mass that is fired through the rear of the firearm, without applying a recoil force to the firearm itself. The recoil-prevention mechanisms of the present disclosure provide solutions for elimination of recoil energy transfer caused by primer ignition, facilitating usage of standard cartridge while proving recoilless operation including solution for primer ignition and feeding mechanisms.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, illustrating a partial cross-section view of a portion of a recoilless firearm <NUM>, showing the principles of a counter-mass mechanism, according to aspects of the present disclosure. The counter-mass mechanism of recoilless firearm <NUM> utilizes a single, standard (off-the-shelf) cartridge <NUM> that includes a bullet <NUM> having a rear section <NUM> and a front section <NUM>, bullet casing <NUM> wherein rear section <NUM> of bullet <NUM> seals the front end of casing <NUM>, gunpowder <NUM> and primer <NUM>. However, this common sealing method is given by way of example only, with no limitations on other mechanisms and/or methods, known in the art, for sealing a standard cartridge. It should be appreciated that these sealing methods can be used herein within the scope of the present disclosure.

The barrel of recoilless firearm <NUM> has an inner-barrel-diameter Df, wherein the rear section <NUM> of a bullet <NUM> has an external diameter <NUM> that is fitted to the inner-barrel-diameter Df of the respective firearm barrel. Furthermore, the casing <NUM> of the respective cartridge has an external diameter <NUM> that is larger than the inner-barrel-diameter Df of the respective firearm barrel.

It should be further noted that a cartridge assembly <NUM> is placed before firing in a fitted cartridge-chamber <NUM> that is wider than Df, to thereby allow to accommodate cartridge assembly <NUM>, but upon firing, the bullet ejects out of inner-barrel-diameter Df, wherein casing <NUM> absorbs the recoil force and is thus pushed backward by the formed gases.

It should be appreciated that although the description refers to firearm cartridges that includes a bullet and a casing, the same principles can be applied to other known-in-the-art ammunition types, for example: shotgun shell with any payload selected from the group including projectile, slug, shot and pellets.

It should be further noted that standard ammunition, such as cartridge assembly <NUM>, is not designed for recoilless operation. Conventionally, cartridge assembly <NUM> is configured to be detonated, when a mechanical hammer (not shown) hits the centerfire mechanical primer <NUM> of cartridge assembly <NUM>, to thereby detonate gunpowder <NUM> disposed inside bullet casing <NUM>. When primer <NUM> ignites, it is almost impossible to prevent the transfer a large portion of the formed recoil energy from the bullet casing <NUM> back to the hitting hammer of the firearm.

By using a counter-mass mechanism, according to aspects of the present disclosure, such a recoil effect can be prevented. The barrel of recoilless firearm <NUM> has a barrel front opening <NUM> (Df) and, according to aspects of the present disclosure, a barrel rear opening <NUM>. When bullet <NUM> is fired in the direction (<NUM>) of target, through the firearm front opening <NUM> (Df) of recoilless firearm <NUM>, in the direction of target, bullet casing <NUM> is used as a counterweight to the fired bullet <NUM>, wherein bullet casing <NUM> is fired in an opposite direction through the rear opening <NUM> of recoilless firearm <NUM>, whereas energy generated by the detonated gunpowder <NUM> is split between bullet <NUM> and bullet casing <NUM>, firing them in opposite direction, without any recoil force effecting the recoilless firearm <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate a firearm assembly and methodology <NUM> of using thereof, in a partial cross-section views, an example structure and the firing steps of using an example piped bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> and a disposable firing pin <NUM>, to bring about detonation and the shooting chain of events involved. Firearm assembly and methodology <NUM> solves the problem formed by the recoil force transfer through hammer using the principles outlined in <FIG>. When activated, a unidirectional energy transfer mechanism <NUM> transfers a forward thrust <NUM> to bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> that thereby moves forward in direction <NUM>.

Thus, in first firing step, piped bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> moves forward in direction <NUM>, meets firing pin <NUM> and continuous to move forward until the firing pin <NUM> pecks primer <NUM>, as shown in the example illustrated in <FIG>, to thereby ignite primer <NUM> and thereby detonate gunpowder <NUM> disposed inside cartridge casing <NUM> to initiate the firing of bullet <NUM> in a forward direction <NUM>.

While the explosion of gunpowder <NUM> generates propellant gasses <NUM> that, on the one hand push bullet <NUM> in a forward direction <NUM>, the propellant gasses <NUM> also push bullet casing <NUM> in the opposite direction <NUM>. However, unidirectional energy transfer mechanism <NUM> prevents bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> from moving back in direction <NUM>. As a result, as shown in the example illustrated in <FIG>, bullet casing <NUM> is pushed back by propellant gasses <NUM>, wherein recoil force are applied to firing pin <NUM> and bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>. While bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> is blocked by unidirectional energy transfer mechanism <NUM>, the recoil force is applied to firing pin <NUM> and cause the deformation or the breaking a part of the firing pin <NUM>, as will be further described here below. The deformed firing pin <NUM> and any parts thereof then slides through the inner opening <NUM> of bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>.

In the last firing step, as shown in the example illustrated in <FIG>, both firing pin <NUM> and bullet casing <NUM>, that absorb the energy of the recoil are flown out through inner opening <NUM> of bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> out of the firearm rear.

In the example shown in <FIG>, a non-limiting example of a disposable firing pin <NUM> is shown, and an example methodology <NUM> of using thereof. Firing pin <NUM> include a pin <NUM>, a pin-body <NUM> and wings <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, the deformation takes a non-limiting form of the bending of wings <NUM> of disposable firing pin <NUM>. As such, pin-body <NUM> is predesigned to withstand the recoil force and wings <NUM> are predesigned to band at a preconfigured location and force.

It should be noted that a predesigned muzzle-brake <NUM> can be added to the recoilless firearm, wherein a muzzle-brake <NUM> is used to cancel the small residual portion of the recoil energy formed during deformation of disposable firing pin <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that recoilless operation of a firearm that uses standard ammunition can be achieved by preventing the recoil energy, formed upon detonation of the primer <NUM>, from being transferred back to firearm hammer. According to aspects of the present this is achieved by using a disposable firing pin that is deformed or broken apart by the bursting recoil energy and eject from the firearm, along with the ammunition casing, via a designated escape path, which bypasses the hammer.

It should be noted that the disposable firing pin may have a variety of shapes and can be operatively coupled to the hammer and/or to the ammunition by any form or method.

As mentioned hereabove, a unidirectional energy transfer mechanism of a bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> may be embodied in numerous ways and shapes, whereas the piped shape is presented as an example only, with no limitation. The objective of a hammer unidirectional energy transfer mechanism is to allow bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> the to move freely and linearly in a first direction (<NUM>), and be blocked when trying to move in the opposite direction (<NUM>). Thereby, allowing free motion towards primer <NUM> and block the return upon the formation of the propellant gasses <NUM>.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, there are provided example embodiments of a hammer unidirectional energy transfer mechanism <NUM>, wherein the unidirectional energy transfer mechanism is securely coupled with the bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>. In some embodiments, a ratchet-based or motion limitation mechanisms are used, wherein a motion limitation mechanism is locked after the ammunition, such as cartridge assembly <NUM>, is fitted into inner opening <NUM> of bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> and limits the bolt-hammer-unit <NUM> backward motion, and wherein a ratchet-based mechanism allows only unidirectional linear motion while preventing motion of the moving part in the opposite direction. It should be noted that any motion limitation mechanism, known in art as a "breechblock locking mechanism", for example, a breech locking mechanism shown in https://en. org/wiki/Rotating_bolt, can be used as a unidirectional linear motion to block rearward motion of the bolt-hammer-unit <NUM>, while in a cocked state.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, illustrating a partial cross-section view of a portion of a recoilless firearm <NUM>, showing the principles of a counter-mass mechanism, according to other aspects of the present disclosure. The counter-mass mechanism of recoilless firearm <NUM> utilizes a single, standard (off-the-shelf) cartridge <NUM> that includes a bullet <NUM>, a bullet casing <NUM> wherein the rear section of bullet seals the front end of casing <NUM>, gunpowder and a primer <NUM>. However, this common sealing method is given by way of example only, with no limitations on other mechanisms and/or methods, known in the art, for sealing a standard cartridge. It should be appreciated that these sealing methods can be used herein within the scope of the present disclosure.

The front barrel <NUM> of recoilless firearm <NUM> has an inner-barrel-diameter Df, wherein the casing <NUM> of the respective cartridge has an external diameter <NUM> that is larger than the inner-barrel-diameter Df of the respective firearm barrel.

It should be further noted that a cartridge assembly <NUM> is placed before firing in a fitted cartridge-chamber that is wider than Df, to thereby allow to accommodate cartridge assembly <NUM>, but upon firing, the bullet ejects out of inner-barrel-diameter Df, wherein casing <NUM> absorbs the recoil force and is thus pushed backward by the formed gases.

As shown in <FIG>, recoilless firearm apparatus <NUM> utilizes another counter-mass mechanism <NUM>, according to aspects of the present disclosure, such that a recoil effect can be prevented. Counter-mass mechanism <NUM>, being another embodiment of a disposable firing-pin, includes a frontal-body-section <NUM> having a pin-front-end, being an open end, wherein a pin <NUM> is disposed at the pin-front-end. Counter-mass mechanism <NUM> further includes a rear-body-section <NUM> having a pin-rear-end with a larger diameter end <NUM>, wherein the larger diameter of said pin-rear-end is configured to seal the rear discharge opening (similar to the rear opening <NUM> of recoilless firearm <NUM>) of front barrel <NUM>.

When in a cocked state, the rear of the standard cartridge is seated inside the cartridge-chamber <NUM> and the pin <NUM> is positioned in safe proximity to the primer <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Typically, the firing pin is made of rigid materials, while at least the rear-body-section <NUM>, including the larger diameter end, is made of deformable or breakable materials, such that when applying an excess force Fe onto firing pin <NUM>, the Counter-mass mechanism <NUM> deforms or breaks.

In one embodiment, a first ratchet-based mechanism is used. <FIG> illustrates a unidirectional energy transfer mechanism <NUM>, according to aspects of the present disclosure. Unidirectional energy transfer mechanism <NUM> includes a linear moving part <NUM> having one or more saw teeth <NUM> and a pivotal leaping-arm <NUM> configured to pivot about axis <NUM>. As linear moving part <NUM> moves, in the example shown, in direction <NUM>, leaping-arm <NUM> pivotally leaps over the sloped side of the next tooth <NUM>, wherein when linear moving part <NUM> tries to move in an opposite direction to direction <NUM>, leaping-arm <NUM> gets stuck in the generally vertical side of the next tooth <NUM>.

In another embodiment, a second ratchet-based mechanism is used. <FIG> illustrate another example unidirectional energy transfer mechanism <NUM>, according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. Unidirectional energy transfer mechanism <NUM> includes a linear moving slider <NUM>, being the moving part, a motion control element <NUM> having one or more saw teeth <NUM> and a moving ball <NUM>, disposed between the generally vertical side <NUM> of a first tooth <NUM> and the sloped side <NUM> of a second tooth <NUM>, wherein moving ball <NUM> is securely interconnected to the vertical side <NUM> of the first tooth <NUM> by a biasing element such as, with no limitation, a spring <NUM>. As linear moving slider <NUM> moves in direction <NUM>, as shown in the example illustrated in <FIG>, biasing element <NUM> maintains moving rotating (in direction <NUM>) ball <NUM> free such that linear moving slider <NUM> can move freely. When linear moving slider <NUM> tries to move in an opposite direction (<NUM>, as shown in the example illustrated in <FIG>) to direction <NUM>, biasing element <NUM> pushes moving rotating (in direction <NUM>) ball <NUM> and thereby moving ball <NUM> climbs over the sloped side <NUM> of a second tooth <NUM> such that moving ball <NUM> gets stuck between the sloped side <NUM> of a second tooth <NUM> and the bottom of linear moving slider <NUM>, to thereby block linear moving slider <NUM> from moving further in direction <NUM>.

It should be noted that there are many motion-limiting and ratchet mechanisms, principles and modifications known in art that used in industrial and automotive applications, including a "seat belt", wherein when a "seat belt ratchet" is pulled in slow motion, it moves freely, it holds the passenger in place comfortably, and when the "seat belt ratchet" is pulled in fast motion, the seat belt is held in place keeping the passenger in place. In some of the prior art ratchet mechanisms the saw teeth are replaced by bearings or rollers to provide fast response and bearing of high pressure. Hence, the present disclosure is not limited in using any specific ratchet mechanism known in art.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, there is provided an example firearm system <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, that utilizes the methodology of firearm assembly and methodology <NUM>. Firearm system <NUM> includes a barrel <NUM> having a cartridge-chamber <NUM>, at least one disposable firing pin <NUM> and a piped bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> (similar to piped bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>). In this non-limiting example, each firing pin <NUM> includes at least two wings <NUM> (similar to wings <NUM>), a pin (not shown) similar to pin <NUM> and a pin-body <NUM> (similar to pin-body <NUM>). In the frontal face of piped bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>, grooves <NUM> are formed, each configured to accommodate a respective wing <NUM> of firing pin <NUM>.

Optionally, firearm system <NUM> further includes a cartridge magazine <NUM>, adapted to hold cartridges <NUM>, for automatic and semi-automatic firearms. In such embodiments, and other embodiments, respective multiple disposable firing pins <NUM> may be supplied via a separate, continuous band magazine <NUM> having multiple disposable firing pins <NUM>.

When firearm system <NUM> is activated, a unidirectional energy transfer mechanism transfers a forward thrust to piped bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> that thereby moves forward in direction <NUM>, according to the methodology described with respect to firearm assembly and methodology <NUM>. A respective firing pin <NUM> is dispatched from band magazine <NUM>, wherein wing <NUM> of firing pin <NUM> are sat inside respective grooves <NUM> of piped bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>, while piped bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> moves forward through band magazine <NUM>, until the pin of disposable firing pin <NUM> pecks primer <NUM> of cartridge assembly <NUM>, and the firing sequence begins, including the bending of wings <NUM> of firing pin <NUM> and including both firing pin <NUM> and bullet casing <NUM>, that absorb the energy of the recoil are flown out through the inner opening of piped bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>, out of the rear of firearm system <NUM>.

Other example embodiments of hammer unidirectional energy transfer mechanisms will now be described. According to aspects of the present disclosure, there are provided example embodiments of a unidirectional energy transfer mechanism <NUM>, wherein a bolt-and-hammer mechanism are used.

It should be noted that the disposable firing pin may come in the form of being detachably embedded in an elongated band magazine, wherein a single firing pin is torn off from the band in each shot. An example of such embodiment is detailed with respect to band magazine <NUM>, described hereabove. According to aspects of the present invention, the disposable firing pin may also come in the form of being detachably mounted on an elongated stick of firing pin, wherein a single firing pin is torn off from the stick in each shot. The stick may be straight, arched or in a circled form. Another non-limiting example illustrates in <FIG> a stick magazine <NUM>. Stick magazine <NUM> includes rigid segments of firing pin <NUM>, that are interconnected by a breakable element <NUM>. When a hitting force <NUM> is applied to the firing pin <NUM> that is first in line, the end of the stick serves as the pecker that pecks the primer <NUM>. The wire stick then moves up whereas the next in line firing pin segment <NUM> becomes the first in line firing pin segment <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a unidirectional energy transfer mechanism <NUM>, according to aspects of the present disclosure. Unidirectional energy transfer mechanism <NUM> includes a ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> and a hammer <NUM>. Piped bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>, being the bolt, has an opening <NUM> formed there at the center, and one or more directing ribs <NUM> placed at preconfigured locations of the inner wall <NUM> of opening <NUM>.

Hammer <NUM> includes a pivotal arm <NUM> configured to pivot about axis <NUM>, and a hitting face <NUM>. When hammer <NUM> is activated, it pivots forcefully in direction <NUM>, wherein upon hitting face <NUM> impacting a proximal end face <NUM> of ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>, ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> moves linearly forward with respect to the respective firearm, in direction <NUM>.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, there is provided an example recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG> in an exploded view. <FIG> is a cross-section view of recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM>. Recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> includes a standard cartridge, such as cartridge <NUM>/<NUM>, and a detonation assembly add-on <NUM>, adapted to fit onto standard cartridge <NUM>.

Detonation assembly <NUM> includes a cylindrical-envelope <NUM> having an inner diameter, an external diameter, a front end <NUM> and a rear end <NUM>, wherein the front end <NUM> operatively faces the barrel of the hosting firearm. The cylindrical-envelope <NUM> is enclosed at the rear end side by a cylindrical rear plug, having a cup shape. Cylindrical cup rear plug <NUM> includes an enclosed cylindrical wall <NUM> enclosed at the rear end by plug-wall <NUM>, wherein cylindrical-envelope <NUM> is securely attached onto the external surface of cylindrical wall <NUM>. It should be noted that detonation assembly <NUM> can be made of a single unit.

Detonation assembly <NUM> further includes a disposable firing pin <NUM> that is similar to disposable firing pin <NUM>. Disposable firing pin <NUM> includes a pin <NUM>, a pin-body <NUM> and at least one wing <NUM>, having a wing-span diameter <NUM>.

When operatively assembled, firing pin <NUM> is inserted into cylindrical-envelope <NUM> via front end <NUM>, wherein pin <NUM> faces the barrel of the hosting firearm. However, the peripheral wing-span diameter of the ends of the at least one wing <NUM> is purposely larger than the internal diameter of cylindrical-envelope <NUM> and is smaller than external diameter of cylindrical-envelope <NUM>. In order to insert firing pin <NUM> into cylindrical-envelope <NUM>, a fitted through slit <NUM> is formed, for each respective wing <NUM>, in cylindrical-envelope <NUM>, extending from front end <NUM> to rear end <NUM>.

Hence, when operatively assembled (or manufactured), each slit <NUM> accommodates a respective wing <NUM>, such that the open end of each wing <NUM> sticking out of the slit <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The inner diameter of rear end <NUM> of cylindrical-envelope <NUM> is enclosed by a rear plug <NUM>, to which inner surface of cylindrical-envelope <NUM> rear plug <NUM> is securely attached.

It should be noted that slits <NUM> segment cylindrical-envelope <NUM> into separate peripheral segments <NUM>, wherein the number of slits <NUM>, the number of wings <NUM>, and the number of peripheral segments <NUM> is equal. However, the of slits <NUM> may be twice the number of wings <NUM>. It should be further noted that the rear end <NUM> of each peripheral segment <NUM> is sloped, starting at a first corner of the rear end <NUM> of the peripheral segment <NUM> (and proximal to the rear end of rear plug <NUM>), ending at the other corner of the rear end <NUM> of that peripheral segment <NUM>, formed by the next slit, and at a predesigned distance from the rear end of rear plug <NUM>.

It should be further noted that when recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> is operatively assembled, detonation assembly <NUM> embraces bullet casing <NUM> of cartridge <NUM>.

Reference is now also made to <FIG>, illustrating a ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> moving linearly forward with respect to the respective firearm, in direction <NUM>, towards recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM>. The diameter of opening <NUM> of ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> is fittingly larger than the external diameter of cylindrical-envelope <NUM>. When at the rear ends of recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM>, directing ribs <NUM> meet the sloped rear ends <NUM> of the respective peripheral segment <NUM>, causing detonation assembly <NUM> (or optionally, the whole of recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM>) to pivot until each of the directing ribs <NUM> meet the respective slit <NUM>, and continues to move forward until meeting the end of the respective wing <NUM>. At this point, if recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> is in position at the cartridge-chamber of a firearm, firing pin <NUM> is pushed forward to thereby, when pin <NUM> pecks primer <NUM> of cartridge assembly <NUM>, and the firing and detonation sequences begin. It should be appreciated that relative pivotal motion between the ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> and the detonation assembly <NUM> can be performed by the recoilless cartridge-assembly <NUM>, the ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> or a combination thereof. It should be further appreciated that relative pivotal motion between the ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> and the detonation assembly <NUM> can be performed by other mechanisms, for example, each sloped rear end <NUM> of a respective peripheral segment <NUM> can be replaced by two slopes, each configured to create a pivotal motion of detonation assembly <NUM> in opposite pivotal direction and shortening the pivotal step.

Reference is also made to <FIG>, illustrating a ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> moving linearly forward with respect to the respective firearm, in direction <NUM>, towards another variation of another recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM>, according to aspects of the present disclosure. Recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> includes a standard cartridge, such as cartridge <NUM>/<NUM>, and a detonation assembly add-on <NUM>, adapted to fit onto standard cartridge <NUM>.

Generally, detonation assembly <NUM> is similar to detonation assembly <NUM>, except for the rear end <NUM> of each peripheral segment <NUM>, that correspond the rear end <NUM> of each peripheral segment <NUM>, respectively. While the sloped rear end of each peripheral segment <NUM> leads towards a single slit <NUM>, each peripheral segment <NUM> has two sloped ends 1484a and 1484b, wherein each sloped end <NUM> leads towards a neighboring slit <NUM>. Therefore, in this case, the number of sloped ends <NUM> is twice the number of slit <NUM>. Reference is now also made to <FIG> that illustrates a blow-forward type firearm <NUM> that includes a barrel unit <NUM> and a bolt assembly <NUM>, according to aspects of the present disclosure. Bolt assembly <NUM> includes a ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> as described hereabove, wherein ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>, is configured to facilitate the pecking by firing pin <NUM> of the primer <NUM> of cartridge assembly <NUM>, and thereby initiate the firing and detonation sequences, as described here above.

Bolt assembly <NUM> is coupled to operate with a barrel unit <NUM> using another example usage of a unidirectional energy transfer mechanism, according to aspects of the present disclosure. Firearm <NUM> is configured to fire bullet <NUM> of a recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM>, as described here above. However, being a blow-forward type firearm and having a recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> disposed in its cartridge-chamber <NUM>, firearm <NUM> is configured to activate the firing sequence when moving the barrel unit <NUM> of firearm <NUM> backwards, in direction <NUM>. It should be appreciated that mechanisms for moving the barrel unit <NUM> of firearm <NUM> backwards using a biasing element, such as a spring, are well known in the art.

Bolt assembly <NUM> further includes a piped limiter <NUM> that is engaged to move linearly with respect to barrel unit <NUM>, upon a bearing mechanism <NUM>. Situated at a forward section of piped limiter <NUM>. Piped limiter <NUM> is configured to allow insertion of a recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> into the cartridge-chamber of firearm <NUM>. Piped limiter <NUM> is further configured to accommodate ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>. Piped limiter <NUM> further includes, at the rear end of piped limiter <NUM>, bolt-stoppers <NUM>, preventing ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> from escaping piped limiter <NUM>, when moving backwards.

When barrel unit <NUM> of firearm <NUM> moves backwards, in direction <NUM>, bearing mechanism <NUM> allows free linear motion of piped limiter <NUM> with respect to barrel unit <NUM>. As recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> meets ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>, wherein barrel unit <NUM>, recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> and ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> continue to move backwards until ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> is stopped by bolt-stoppers <NUM>.

Next, as barrel unit <NUM> continuous to push backwards, directing ribs <NUM> meet the sloped rear ends <NUM> of the respective peripheral segment <NUM>, causing recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> to pivot until each of the directing ribs <NUM> meet and enter the respective slit <NUM>, and recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> continues to move backwards until meeting the end of the respective wing <NUM>. At this point, recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> continues to move backwards, however, the ends of the wing <NUM> remain stuck at the front-end-face <NUM> (see <FIG>) of ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>. Therefore, primer <NUM> of cartridge assembly <NUM> continuous to move towards firing pin <NUM> until pin <NUM> pecks primer <NUM>, as illustrated in a partial cross section view of <FIG>, and the firing and detonation (<NUM>) sequences begin.

At this stage, the propellant gasses formed at the detonation (<NUM>) also push cartridge casing <NUM> in direction <NUM>, along with detonation assembly <NUM>. The ends of wings <NUM> are deformed or broken, and cartridge casing <NUM>, firing pin <NUM> and detonation assembly <NUM> proceed to move backwards, wherein slit <NUM> slide over the respective directing ribs <NUM> and then through opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) of ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>, until completely ejecting out of firearm <NUM>.

It should be noted that motion limiters, including linear motion limiters and rotational motion limiters may take a variety of forms, as known in the art.

Reference is now also made to <FIG> that illustrates a blow-forward type firearm <NUM> that includes a barrel unit <NUM> and a bolt assembly <NUM>, according to other aspects of the present disclosure. Firearm <NUM> is quite similar to firearm <NUM>, except that when moving the barrel unit <NUM> of firearm <NUM> backwards, firearm <NUM> goes to a cocked state, while the recoilless cartridge assembly <NUM> and the ribbed bolt-hammering unit <NUM> rotate one with respect to the other, until reaching a cocked position and ready to be fired. Then, an additional mechanism <NUM>, as described with respect to <FIG>, is activated to provide ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> with a forward thrust by a hammer <NUM>. In this example embodiment, piped limiter <NUM> is adapted to allow hammer <NUM> to hit ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>. In this example embodiment, bolt assembly <NUM> further includes barrel stopper <NUM> to block barrel unit <NUM> from impacting pin <NUM> of firing pin <NUM>, while moving backwards.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, there is provided an example firearm system <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, that utilizes the methodology of firearm assembly and methodology <NUM> using recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM>. Firearm system <NUM> includes a barrel <NUM> having an inner-barrel-diameter and a cartridge-chamber <NUM>, at least one recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> and a piped bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>.

Optionally, firearm system <NUM> further includes a magazine <NUM>, adapted to hold a number of recoilless-cartridge-assemblies <NUM>, for automatic and semi-automatic firearms. In such embodiments, and other embodiments, respective multiple disposable firing pins <NUM>. Firearm system <NUM> can further include a ribbed bolt-hammering unit <NUM> that is used as a part of the feeding mechanism that operatively interacts with magazine <NUM>. Ribbed bolt-hammering unit <NUM> extracts a recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM>, that is next in line, from magazine <NUM> and loads the extracted recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> into cartridge-chamber <NUM> of barrel <NUM>.

Upon the extracted recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> entering into chamber <NUM>, the ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> continues to move forward towards recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM>, and thereby directing ribs <NUM> meet the sloped rear ends <NUM> of the respective peripheral segment <NUM>, causing recoilless-cartridge-assembly <NUM> to pivot until each of the directing ribs <NUM> meet and enter the respective slit <NUM>, and then continue and meet the ends of wing <NUM>, via the front-end-face <NUM> of ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>. Upon cartridge <NUM>, being blocked inside the cartridge-chamber <NUM>, ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> continuous the move forward, pushing firing pin <NUM> forward towards primer <NUM> of cartridge assembly <NUM>, until reaching their cocked position within predefined safety distance of the firing pin <NUM> from the primer <NUM>, resting in the cocked position, being in a cocked state, ready to be fired.

When firearm system <NUM> is triggered, a hammer mechanism, for example mechanism <NUM> hammers the rear face <NUM> of ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM> that thereby moves forward, to direction <NUM>, according to the methodology described with respect to methodology <NUM> (see <FIG>). The hammering energy is then transferred to firing pin <NUM>,wherein the tip of firing pin <NUM> pecks the primer <NUM> of cartridge assembly <NUM>, and the firing sequence begins, including the bending of wings <NUM> of firing pin <NUM> and including both firing pin <NUM> and bullet casing <NUM>, that absorb the energy of the recoil are flown out through the inner opening <NUM> of ribbed bolt-hammering-unit <NUM>, out of the rear of firearm system <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that firearms <NUM>, <NUM> (and <NUM>), and <NUM> are preconfigured to the have primary cartridge <NUM> generate a recoil force <NUM> (Fp) that is higher than the counter resistance (Fr) formed by weight of the bullet casing <NUM> the weight of firing pin <NUM> (and <NUM>) and the resistance to deform/brake of pin-wing(s) <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, such that: ΔF = Fp, - Fr. Hence, similar to muzzle-brakes <NUM> and <NUM>, the difference in these forces ΔF is compensated using an additional recoil compensation element - a muzzle-brake <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, respectively.

It should be further appreciated that the resistance of pin-wing(s) to deform/brake, can be predesigned by selecting preconfigured materials for the various parts of the respective firing-pin. Hence, when applying an excess force (Fe) onto the pin-wing(s) (<NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>), the pin-wing(s) deforms or breaks.

Claim 1:
A recoilless firearm apparatus for firing at least one bullet of a respective standard cartridge having a standard caliber, comprising:
a) a front barrel (<NUM>) having an inner-barrel-diameter and a rear cartridge-chamber having a rear cartridge-chamber diameter configured to receive the standard cartridge;
b) a disposable firing activator; and
c) a rear discharge opening formed behind said front barrel, aligned with the longitudinal axis of said front barrel;
wherein the standard cartridge further includes a casing (<NUM>) having an external diameter that is smaller than said rear cartridge-chamber diameter, wherein the casing encloses a sealed inner-casing space that contains gunpowder (<NUM>), and wherein the casing includes a primer (<NUM>); and
wherein upon activating the primer, the primer explodes to thereby detonate the gunpowder, forming propellant gasses inside the cartridge that are directed both forward and backward as follows:
a) forward: firing of the bullet via said front barrel; and
b) backward: pushing, by a recoil force Fp, the casing, being a counterweight to the bullet, to thereby eject the casing from the firearm apparatus via said rear discharge opening.