US2397572A - Manually operated breech-loading rapid-fire gun - Google Patents

Description

April 2, 1946. F. R. WEAVER MANUALLY OPERATED BREECH-LOADING RAPID-FIRE GUN Filed Feb. 18, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 &

WWII r105 FLEMING R. WEAVER MBQM April 2, 1946. F-. R. WE AVER MANUALLY OPERATED BREECH-LQADING RAPID-FIRE G UN Filed Feb. 18,1943 2 Sheets-Sheet' 2 I IP14.

I ll! FLEMING R. WEAVER & m IF Patented Apr. 2, 1946 MANUALLY OPERATED BREECH-LOADING RAPID-FIRE GUN Fleming R. Weaver, Baltimore, Md.

Application February 18, 1943, Serial No. 476,287

2 Claims. (01. 42-10) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or. for the Government for. governmental purposes, without the ayment to me of any royalty thereon.

The present invention relates to ordnance devices, and particularly to a gun of the manuallyoperated, breech-loading, rapid-firing type; and to ammunition in the form of a projectile particularly constructed and designed therefor.

The primary purpose of the invention is to provide a light-weight, manually-operated, breech-loading, rapid-firing weapon for projecting smoke and gas shells. However, as contemplated, the weapon may be used for firing high explosive projectiles and grenades, and use of the weapon is not limited to strictly military purposes but, as a gas weapon, may be effectively used for riot and mob control.

It will be also understood that while the invention contemplates an essentially low-pressure, short-range weapon, ranges comparable to those of the field gun may be obtained by increasing the strength of the operating members of the weapon.

Further, in accordance with this invention, the un is designed for mounting upon motorized vehicles, or upon a tripod or other suitable stand for stationary use as where greater accuracy or aim is required. It will be further understood, as the description proceeds, that the rate of firing of the gun is governed by the speed of movement of the operator, and the rapidity with which the projectiles can be introduced into the chamber.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be better understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a top plan view of the gun embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view. thereof. Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the gun when loaded, the projectile embodying the features of the present invention being also shown substantially in longitudinal section.

Figure 4 is a rear end elevational view of the gun.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view through the chamber of the gun, with certain parts omitted; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, somewhat diagrammatic view showing the pin and slot connection between the locking sleeve and slide.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, numeral 5 indicates the barrel of the gun. This barrel, as preferably designed, is a. cylindrical tube without rifiing. However, in the event that greater accuracy and increased range are desired, the barrel may be rifled without interfering with the basic principles of the invention. At'the rear end thereof the wall of the barrel 5 is thickened as at 6 to provide a chamber for the projectile indicated generally by the reference numeral 1.

Sleeved on the chamber end 6 of the barrel is a breech block 8.. The block 8 is restrained against rotative movement about the barrel 5 as an axis through the medium of a key 9 provided externally on the wall of the barrel 5 and accommodated in a way 10 formed internally on the wall of the breech block 8.

The breech block 8 is adapted to be extended longitudinally of the barrel 5 for initially receiving the projectile l; breech block 8 being provided in the periphery thereof with an opening H of suitablesize and design to facilitate the placing of the projectile 1 within the retracted breech block 8.

As is believed obvious, when the breech block 8 is shifted forwardly relative to the barrel 5 the projectile 1 is moved into the chamber 6 of the barrel, the opening l l in the breech block 8 being closed by the wall of the barrel when the breech block 8 is in this forward position.

To compensate for wear, the head of the breech block 8 is provided with a threaded insert i2, and in facial contact with the inside of the insert i2 is a pad l3 of highly compressed cushioned material that fits against the end edge of the barrel 5 for sealing the chamber of the barrel at said end and thereby insuring obturation or the prevention of the escape of gas from the chamber during firing of the weapon.

Sleeved on the barrel 5 in advance of the breech block 8, and rotatable about the barrel '5 as an axis, as well as slidable longitudinally of said barrel, is a lockin sleeve l4. At the adjacent ends thereof sleeve l4 and breech block 3 are joined together in a manner to permit sliding movement of the locking sleeve l4 and breech block 8 as a unit, while at the same time per mitting rotation of the sleeve l4 relative to barrel 5 and breech block 8.

To the ends just mentioned, locking sleeve l4 and breech block 8 are joined together, in the present instance, through the medium of a tongue and groove joint; breech block 8 being provided with an internal annular tongue [5 fitting in a peripheral groove l6 formed on the sleeve M, and also being provided with internal groove I! in which is accommodated an external tongue or rib l8 formed on the sleeve M. This tongue and groove assembly just described is shown to advantage in Figure 3 of the drawings. On the free end thereof locking sleeve i4 is provided with a threaded collar l9, closing the ends of L-shaped slots 2| hereinafter more fully referred to.

Breech block 8 and locking sleeve M are releasably locked in the forward or firing position shown through the medium of locking lugs or studs 20 projecting radially from the barrel 5 and the aforementioned L-shaped slots 2i formed in the periphery of the sleeve it. Preferably there are three lugs 25'. the lugs 2i] being located at diametrically opposite sides of the barrel and at the top of the barrel; slots 2! corre sponding in number to the lugs 28 and being Slillilarly located on the locking sleeve Hi, with the longer legs of the slots extended longitudinally of the sleeve and the shorter legs of the slots disposed adjacent the end of the sleeve joined with the breech block 8. Manifestly with the lugs 20 disposed in the shorter legs of the slots 2i the breech block 8 and sleeve it are locked in forward or firing position.

For effecting rotation of the sleeve H5 in either of two directions, and for other purposes hereinafter made manifest, there is provided an actuating slide 22. The slide 22 is substantially semicylindric'al and fits the peripheries of breech bl ch 8 and. locking sleeve is in themanner with tliiorward end of the Slide 22 bridgii'ig'tli'e joint between the breech block 8 and the sleeve Hia The actuating slide 22 is mounted in a manner to have sliding movement relative to sleeve l4 and breech block 8, and in its forward end is provided with an angular slot 23 in which is accommodated the head of a stud 2 carried by the sleeve id as shown in Figures 3 and 6, It will thus be seen that as the slide 22- is shifted longitudinally relative to sleeve I4, stud 22 working in slot 23 will cause sleeve Hi to rotate either in a counter-clockwise direction to align the longitudiiial legs of the slots. 2| with the studs 29 thus freeing the locking sleeve id for movement with the breech block 8 to a retracted or loading position upon continued movement of the slide 22 in the same direction; or in a clockwise direction upon movement of the slide 22 forwardly to the limit of its movement in such direc'tion, incidental to firing the gun, for re -entry of the lugs 20 into the shorter legs of the slots 2! to lock the breech block closed immediately preceding the firing of the gun.

The slide 22 is supported for sliding movement through the medium of a pair of guide bars or rails 25 located at opposite sides of the breech block 8 and supported thereon through the megram of bosses 26 provided at one end of the breech block and bosses 2'! provided at the oppositeend of the breech block 8; the guide bars or rails 25 being trained through elongated eyes 28 provided on the slide 22 at opposite sides of latter, and having the terminals thereof secured to the bosses 26, 21 by screws or other suitablev fastening elements.

For the purpose of maintainingthe proper relation-between the locking sleeve Hi, the breech block 8, and the slide 22 during the operating cycle (described hereinafter), there are provided springs 29 sleeved on the guide bars or railsr.

ZSand; respectively impinging at one end against a lug 26 and at an opposite end against an eye 28 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The springs 29 are, at all times, under compression, thereby to the slide 22 through. the medium of the attaching'plate 32 and screws or other suitable fastening elements 33 as shown in Figure 3.

For locking the slide 22 against movement relative to the breech block 8 there is pivoted within an opening provided therefor in the attaching plate 32 a latch 34 that is cooperable with a keeper lug or abutment 35 formed cxteriorly on the periphery of the breech block 8 as shown in Figure 3'. Latch 34 is formed with an integral trigger 36, and is biased for engagement with serving to bias the slide 22 to the rear at all times. Whenthe slide 22 is in its most forward position (when the gun is fired) the springs 29 serve to help return the slide to the position shown in Figures 1 through. 3. The constant pressure of the springs 29 also serve to maintain the latch 34 in the latched position as shown in Figure 3.

To facilitate manipulation of the slide 22 the-re is provided a pistol grip 30 that is equipped with an integral trigger guard 3| and an attaching plate 32. The pistol grip 30 is secured ing'the cartridge or projectile 7.

the keeper lug 35 through the medium of a spring 31 as clearly shown in Figure 3. It will thus be seen that whenthe latch 34 is engaged with the keeper lug 35 as shown in Figure 3, slide 22 is releasably retained against sliding move-- ment in a rearward or retracted position relative to the breech block 8. I

At the rearwardmost end thereof, slide 22 is provided with an integral urn-standing web 38 forming a support for a firing pin 39.

The firingpin 39 is threadedly engaged with a threaded opening provided in the support 38 and is secured at the desired position of adjustment in the direction of its length through the medium of a lamb-nut 49.

, The insert [2 carried by the breech block 8 is provided at the center thereof with a twodiameter through bore or opening 4| to accommodate the piercing point and forward end of the body of the firing pin 39 when the slide 22 is moved forwardly relative to the breech block 8'to fire the cartridge or projectile T,

The operation of the gun as thus far described may be briefly summarized as follows: 7

Assuming the gun to be empty and in the closed and locked position shown in the drawings the pistol grip Sills gripped firmly in the right hand with the barrel 5 supported on a tripod, or other suitable support and the trigger 38 is pressed to rotate against the action of the spring 31, thereby allowing slide 22 to be manually moved by the right handof the operator to a retracted position relative tothe breech block 8. As the slide 22 is so retracted locking sleeve I14, by reason of the pin; and slot connection 24, 23, between the sleeve l4 and slide 22,- is caused to rotate in a direction to align the lugs in with the longitudinal legs of the slots 2!. Continued manual retraction by the right hand of slide 2-2 is transmitted to sleeve l4 and breech block 8 so that slide 22, sleeve [4 and breech block 3, as a unit. are retracted relative to the barrel for placing the opening ll in the breech block 3 beyond the rear end of barrel 5.

With the mentioned parts of the gun in the position just referred to in the preceding paragraph, the cartridge or projectile 1 is placed within the breech block 8, and a quick forward motion relative to the barrel then imparted to the slide 22. This will result in placing the projectile 1 within the chamber 6 of barrel 5, and rotation of the locking sleeve 14 in a clockwise direction to re -engage the lateral legs of the slots 2! with the studs 20 for locking the breech block 8 in place; and continued forward mo ement of slide 22 relative to the breech block 8, permitted by reason of the end of slot 23 extending parallel with'the barrel 5'as shown in Figure 6, beyond the position shown in Figure 3 will cause the piercing point of the firing pin 39 to pass through the opening M in insert I2 for firer. n the springs 29 serve to return the slide 22 to the rear.

The rate of fire of the weapon is, as apparent from the foregoing, governed by the speed of movement of the operator in completing the cycle of operation described, and the rapidity with which the cartridges or projectiles can be introduced into the breech-block 3. It will be seen that the barrel is stationary with respect to the other parts of the gun, and only moves when the gun moves as a unit.

When not in actual use, whether loaded or unloaded, the parts of the gun are normally in the position shown in Figure 3, and in which position, it will be noted, firing pin 35 is safely retained in spaced relation to the rear end of the breech block 8 and against accidental movement in the direction of the breech block by reason of latch member 34 being biased by spring 31 into engagement with keeper lug 35.

As set forth in the statement of invention the gun of this invention may be used with equal advantage for projecting smoke and gas shells, high explosive projectiles and grenades. However, a shell or projectile such as herein illustrated and designated by the reference numeral i will be found particularly adaptable for use with the gun of this invention.

Shell or projectile l, as contemplated by this invention, is a self-contained unit and the design thereof, rather than being provided for any specific filling, is adaptable to burning type mixtures for thermal dispersion or fillings dispersed by burster charge; the mixture or filling herein shown and designated by the reference numeral 42 being merely by way of illustration and not by way of restriction. Further, as is more or less conventional with such types of shells, the same, in accordance with this invention, is provided internally with a burster or functional element assembly consisting, generally, of a burster case 43 having therein a burster charge 44 and a delay element or time fuse 45. These functional elements are conventional and the purpose and manner of operation thereof are well known to those skilled in the art.

A salient feature of the projectile of the invention is the provision, within the base of the shell, of a powder chamber d5 containing a propellant charge 41, the action of which is initiated by the functioning of a primer 68 secured in a position aligning with the opening 41 in the insert l2 when the shell I is in firing position within the cartridge chamber 6 of barrel 5. The base of the powder chamber 48 is normally sealed by a frangible or inflammable retainer disk t9, and this disk 49 as well as propellant char e M should be of such a character as to leave no fouling in the chamber or barrel of the gun.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, the shell or casing of the projectile l is characterized by having the base thereof flared as at 50 to provide a combined head rim and gas check. Further, the flared end 56 additionally serves not only to seat the projectile in the chamber 6 of the gun, but compresses as the projectile is driven through the barrel 5, serving to prevent loss of pressure From the foregoing, it will also be apparent that when the piercing point of the firing pin 39 pierces the primer 48 in the firing of the projectile the primer initiates the action of the propellant charge ill in the powder chamber 46, followed by the ignition of the delay element 45,

incorporated in the aforementioned functioning elements, either from the flash of the primer 48 or the flash from the propellant charge E l. The burst of the propellant charge ruptures the frangible or inflammable retainer disk 49 and builds up sufficient pressure within the gun to project the projectile I; and the combined head rim and gas check formed by the flare 5i compresses as the projectile is driven through the barrel, thereby preventing loss of such pressure, with obturation being insured by the highly com pressed cushion pad l3 sealing the rear end of the shell chamber 6.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A gun comprising a barrel, a breech block 7 and a locking sleeve slidable over the barreL'said breech block and sleeve being so connected together as to permit rotative movement only of the locking sleeve relative to the breech block, inter-engaging means on the locking sleeve and barrel operable upon rotative movement of the locking sleeve in one direction for releasably looking the sleeve and breech block to the barrel in forward position, and an actuator slide movable longitudinally of the barrel, sleeve and breech block and connected with said locking sleeve for imparting rotative movement to the locking sleeve; the connection between said locking sleeve and slide being such as to permit limited longitudinal movement of the slide relative to the locking sleeve and breech block, spring means urging said slide rearwardly relative to said breech block and sleeve to rotate and thereby unlock said sleeve from said barrel, and a latch normally holding the slide in a predetermined position relative to the breech block.

2. A gun comprising a barrel, a breech block,

, and a locking sleeve, the breech block and sleeve each surrounding and axially slidable over the barrel, means connecting said sleeve and breech block together, said means so constructed and arranged that the breech block and sleeve are secured to each other against axial separation but that they can rotate relative to each other, interengaging means on the locking sleeve and barrel operable upon rotative movement of the locking sleeve in one direction for releasably locking the sleeve to the barrel in forward position, an actuator slide, spring means connecting the breech block and slide, said spring means biased to force the slide rearwardly relative to the breech block, a manually releasable latch for preventing unlocking movement of the slide relative to the sleeve, means connecting said slide to said sleeve, said last means so constructed and arranged that there is longitudinal movement of the slide, sleeve and breech block relative to the barrel and rotative movement of the sleeve relative both to the slide and the barrel, and a firing pin mounted on the actuator slide said pin and slide so constructed and arranged that the firing pin projects into the breech block upon forward movement of the slide relative to the breech block, sleeve and barrel, said last connecting means so constructed and arranged that the rearward movement of the slide after firing rotates the sleeve so that it is unlocked from the barrel, said sleeve, breech block, and slide then moving longitudinally rearwardly of the barrel.

FLEMING R. WEAVER.

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