U.S. patent application number 11/072765 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-27 for cartridge ejection mechanisms and methods for operating the same.
Invention is credited to Murello, Johannes.
Application Number | 20050235543 11/072765 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35148917 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050235543 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murello, Johannes |
October 27, 2005 |
Cartridge ejection mechanisms and methods for operating the
same
Abstract
Cartridge ejection mechanisms and methods of operating the same
are disclosed. An illustrated example cartridge ejection mechanism
includes a bolt head which has a front face to close a cartridge
chamber, a first longitudinal cross-piece on a first side and a
second longitudinal cross-piece on a second side. The first and
second cross-pieces extend from the front face of the bolt head
toward the rear of the bolt head. The cartridge ejection mechanism
also includes at least two cartridge extractor hooks spring-mounted
to the bolt head in opposed, facing relation to jointly extract a
cartridge or cartridge case from the cartridge chamber when the
bolt head moves rearward. Additionally, the cartridge ejection
mechanism is provided with a stationary ejector assigned to one of
the cartridge extractor hooks and having two projection disposed
adjacent a corresponding one of the cross-pieces of the bolt head
such that, when the bolt head moves sufficiently rearward, the
cartridge or cartridge case strikes the projections, pivots around
the cartridge extractor hook opposite the ejector, and is ejected
to the side opposite the ejector.
Inventors: |
Murello, Johannes;
(Deisslingen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HANLEY, FLIGHT & ZIMMERMAN, LLC
20 N. WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 4220
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
35148917 |
Appl. No.: |
11/072765 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11072765 |
Mar 4, 2005 |
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PCT/EP03/09492 |
Aug 27, 2003 |
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11072765 |
Mar 4, 2005 |
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PCT/EP03/09483 |
Aug 27, 2003 |
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11072765 |
Mar 4, 2005 |
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10956562 |
Oct 1, 2004 |
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10956562 |
Oct 1, 2004 |
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PCT/EP03/09490 |
Aug 27, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/47 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 15/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/047 |
International
Class: |
F41A 015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 9, 2002 |
DE |
DE 102 40 887.4 |
Apr 9, 2002 |
DE |
DE 102 40 891.2 |
Apr 9, 2002 |
DE |
DE 102 40 889.0 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cartridge ejection mechanism comprising: a bolt head having a
front face to close a cartridge chamber, a first longitudinal
cross-piece on a first side of the bolt head and a second
longitudinal cross-piece on a second side of the bolt head, the
first and second cross-pieces extending from the front face of the
bolt head toward the rear of the bolt head; at least two cartridge
extractor hooks spring-mounted to the bolt head in opposed, facing
relation to jointly extract a cartridge or cartridge case from the
cartridge chamber when the bolt head moves rearward; and a
stationary ejector assigned to one of the cartridge extractor hooks
and having two projection disposed adjacent a corresponding one of
the cross-pieces of the bolt head such that, when the bolt head
moves sufficiently rearward, the cartridge or cartridge case
strikes the projections, pivots around the cartridge extractor hook
opposite the ejector, and is ejected to the side opposite the
ejector.
2. A cartridge ejection mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein at
least one of the cartridge extractor hooks includes a hook-like end
having a surface facing the front face of the bolt head, the
surface of the hook-like end being disposed at an acute angle to a
plane parallel to the front face of the bolt head.,
3. A cartridge ejection mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein
the acute angle is between approximately 0.degree. and
approximately 15.degree..
4. A cartridge ejection mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein
the cartridge ejection mechanism is structured to extract a
cartridge or cartridge case having a caliber of at least 15 mm.
5. A cartridge ejection mechanism comprising: a bolt head having a
front face to close a cartridge chamber, first and second
longitudinal grooves on a first side of the bolt head and a third
and fourth longitudinal grooves on a second side of the bolt head,
the longitudinal grooves extending from the front face of the bolt
head toward the rear of the bolt head; at least two cartridge
extractor hooks spring-mounted to the bolt head in opposed, facing
relation to jointly extract a cartridge or cartridge case from the
cartridge chamber when the bolt head moves rearward; and a
stationary ejector assigned to one of the cartridge extractor hooks
and having two projection disposed in corresponding ones of the
grooves of the bolt head such that, when the bolt head moves
sufficiently rearward, the cartridge or cartridge case strikes the
projections, pivots around the cartridge extractor hook opposite
the ejector, and is ejected to the side opposite the ejector.
6. A cartridge ejection mechanism as defined in claim 5, wherein at
least one of the cartridge extractor hooks includes a hook-like end
having a surface facing the front face of the bolt head, the
surface of the hook-like end being disposed at an acute angle to a
plane parallel to the front face of the bolt head.,
7. A cartridge ejection mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein
the acute angle is between approximately 0.degree. and
approximately 15.degree..
8. A cartridge ejection mechanism as defined in Claim l, wherein
the cartridge ejection mechanism is structured to extract a
cartridge or cartridge case having a caliber of at least 15 mm.
9. A method of ejecting a cartridge comprising: grasping a rear
edge of a cartridge or cartridge case with at least two cartridge
extractor hooks spring-mounted to a bolt head in opposed, facing
relation; carrying the cartridge or cartridge case rearward with
the bolt head; and striking the cartridge or cartridge case on two
projections of a stationary ejector assigned to one of the
cartridge extractor hooks to pivot the cartridge or cartridge case
around the cartridge extractor hook opposite the ejector and eject
the cartridge or cartridge case to the side opposite the ejector.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent arises from a U.S. patent application which is
(a) a continuation of International Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/EP2003/009492, filed Aug. 27, 2003, (b) a continuation of
International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/EP2003/009483,
filed Aug. 27, 2003, and (c) a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/956,562, filed on Oct. 1, 2004. U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/956,562 is a continuation of International
Patent Application Serial Number PCT/EP03/09490, which was filed on
Aug. 27, 2003. International Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/EP2003/009492, International Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/EP2003/009483, International Patent Application Serial Number
PCT/EP03/09490, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/956,562 are
all hereby incorporated herein by reference in the entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to handheld firearms, and
more particularly, to cartridge ejection mechanisms and methods of
operating the same.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Throughout this patent, position designations such as
"above," "below," "top" "forward," "rear," etc. are referenced to a
firearm held in a normal firing position (i.e., pointed away from
the shooter in a generally horizontal direction).
[0004] As far as can be inferred from the figures of U.S. Pat. No.
3,906,651, the '651 Patent appears to illustrate a cartridge with a
round profile. The cartridge is seated on the breech block of a
breech that has two opposing extractor hooks. The reason why this
ejection arrangement has been chosen cannot be inferred from this
publication, nor is it possible to infer from this publication how
the ejector should be arranged and constructed. The profile of the
two extractor hooks is also unusual and facilitates sliding from
the cartridge border. Such sliding must be possible in the case of
one of the hooks, if it is not intended to be uncommonly softly
cushioned. However, a longitudinal groove in the breech which is
located close to one of the hooks and could hold the ejector may be
recognized in FIG. 2 of this publication.
[0005] The ejection of some shotgun cartridges, (for example, of
the 10 or 12 caliber), is often a problem, particularly in the case
of very long cartridge cases and in semi-automatic weapons. Because
the rapidly opening breech of a semi-automatic weapon carries the
extractor hooks with it, cartridges having a round border profile
may slip from the extractor hooks during this rapid opening
movement.
[0006] Doubling the amount of extractor hooks as known from U.S.
Pat. No. 3,906,651 could possibly remedy this problem. Further,
having double the amount of extractor hooks could be advantageous
in the case of extremely large cartridges which have a
disproportionately small border (e.g., flare, tear gas or shotgun
cartridges of the 4 caliber (26.5 mm), 4 cm shell cartridges, or
the like.).
[0007] In former times, small arms, particularly in the case of
service weapons, were all constructed for right-handed marksman.
Left-handers were, thus, trained to use the weapon with their right
hand. Today, however, there is an attempt to do justice to the
characteristics of the marksman by, for example, equipping weapons
for use by left-handers. Particularly in the case of semi-automatic
rifles of the Bullpup style wherein the magazine is located behind
the butt, equipping the rifle for use by a left-handed marksman
requires ensuring that cartridge ejection is directed away from the
face of the marksman, since the ejector is typically located at the
level of the cheekbone.
[0008] In the case of some weapons, (for example, with aircraft
machine guns mounted in helicopters), the direction of ejection is
not freely adjustable, but must instead be adapted to the mounting
conditions as best as possible. Under such circumstances, it may be
desirable to cause the cartridge ejection to take place in any
direction, except at the reloading mechanism. For example, if a
cartridge gripper seated above the weapon is used, then the
ejection can take place to the right or to the left, or even below,
depending on where a cartridge case container or spent ammunition
bag can be mounted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example breech of a
semi-automatic shotgun.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top view of the breech and ejector of FIG.
1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an example extractor hook.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partial view of an example ejector, seen from
the front or the rear.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an example ejector mechanism for an
example breech of an example semi-automatic firearm. The example
weapon of FIG. 1 includes a bolt head (1) which can be moved along
two guide rods (3). This bolt head (1) includes a breech block (5).
An extractor hook (7) is mounted on each side of the bolt head
(1).
[0014] An example extractor hook (7) is shown enlarged in FIG. 3.
The extractor hook (7) may be, for example, stamped out of sheet
metal. The illustrated extractor hook (7) has a somewhat T-shaped
profile. The end of the middle jamb of the extractor hook (7)
defines a bore hole (9). A rear leg (11) of the extractor hook (7)
and a front leg (13) of the extractor hook (7) extend in opposite
directions from the middle jamb. Each of the rear leg (11) and the
front leg (13) is positioned at a right angle to the middle
jamb.
[0015] The rear leg (11) of the extractor hook (7) includes an
angular connecting piece (15) on its free end. This connecting
piece (15) engages in a spiral pressure spring (not shown). The
front leg (13) of the extractor hook (7) includes a hook (17) on
its free end. The hook (17) has a surface (19) turned toward the
middle jamb. The surface (19) defines an acute angle, a, with
respect to an axis (88) that runs parallel to the middle jamb of
the extractor hook (7) and transverse to the breech block (5) (FIG.
2). Each of the extractor hooks (7) can be pivoted about a
substantially vertical axis. Each of these pivot axes is defined by
a retaining pin (21) which passes through the bore hole (9) of the
corresponding extractor hook (7) (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
[0016] Each side of the bolt head (1) includes a longitudinal
cross-piece (25). A corresponding one of the extractor hooks (7) is
mounted on each of these cross-pieces (25). Each longitudinal
cross-piece (25) has an upper and a lower edge. The upper and lower
edges extend into the breech block (5) (i.e., to the front face of
the bolt head (1)).
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top view of the breech of FIG. 1. In the example
of FIG. 2, the two extractor hooks (7) are seated on opposite sides
of a cartridge (23). An ejector (27) is located behind the bolt
head (1). When viewed from the front or from the rear as in FIG. 4,
the ejector (27) has a U-shaped cross-section. When the bolt head
(1) moves towards the back, a corresponding one of the longitudinal
cross-pieces (25) runs through the ejector (27). The legs (29) of
the ejector (27) engage the upper and lower surfaces of the
corresponding longitudinal cross-piece (25) and extend onto the
bolt head (1).
[0018] The cartridge or cartridge case (23) is held on the bolt
head (1) by the extractor hooks (7). Thus, the cartridge or
cartridge case (23) is carried along with the bolt head (1) when
the bolt head (1) moves rearward. The ejector (27) remains
stationary during this movement of the bolt head (1). Consequently,
the longitudinal cross-piece (25) moves through the two legs (29)
of the ejector (27) as the bolt head (1) moves to the rear. As the
breech block (5) passes the ejector (27), the base of the cartridge
(23) runs into the ends of the legs (29) of the ejector (27) and is
pressed against the extractor hook (7) adjacent the ejector (27).
Due to the interaction of the round profile of the cartridge border
with the beveled edge (19) (FIG. 3), the extractor hook (7) is
pressed back and the ejector (27) imparts a powerful thrust to the
adjacent part of the cartridge border, so that the cartridge (23)
tilts around the extractor (7) on the side opposite the ejector
(27) and is ejected.
[0019] Switching the ejector (27) to the opposite side of the
breech from that shown in FIG. 2 causes a similar ejection to the
right.
[0020] The ejector (27) can be inserted into a longitudinal or
transverse slot in the case of the weapon. A component of the
weapon or a pin may hold the ejector (27) in this position.
[0021] As will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the
art, the above-described ejector mechanism is suited for use with a
small firearm, (e.g., a semi-automatic weapon), which includes a
barrel and a breech that moves approximately from the rear end of
the barrel to the rear along the axis of the bore (i.e., along the
median axis of the barrel) when opening. The example cartridge
ejection arrangement described above includes extractor hooks (7)
and an ejector (27). The extractor hooks (7) grasp the border or
near the border of the cartridge or engage in the peripheral groove
of its base. The ejector (27) is seated approximately opposite one
of the extractor hooks (7) in relation to the axis of the bore. The
ejector (27) is positioned so that the border of the cartridge base
runs into it as the bolt head (1) moves rearward. In the
illustrated example, the ejector (27) is stationary. Thus, the
ejector (27) may be either rigidly mounted to the weapon or its
case. Alternatively, the ejector (27) may be flexibly mounted in
the breech or the bolt head (1) to, at the end of the return motion
of the breech, run into a weapons-proof resistor.
[0022] In the illustrated example, the cartridge or cartridge case
is ejected transverse to the axis of the bore. The extractor hooks
(7) are on opposite sides of the axis of the bore. The ejector (27)
is located on the side of the axis of the bore opposite to the side
to which the cartridge is to be ejected.
[0023] In the case of cartridges with a border groove which is
turned toward the breech block (i.e., toward the front surface of
the breech (5)), the cartridge border forms an even surface (i.e.,
is flush) with the front surface of the breech (5). During
ejection, the extractor hooks (7) are snugly seated in the grooves
with a complementary supporting surface. Therefore, the cartridge
or its case cannot be released from the extractor hooks (7) until a
transverse force is applied to the case. In this way, a reliable
ejection of the cartridge case is ensured. In the case of a
cartridge border with a round profile, (for example, in the case of
small arm and shotgun cartridges), the engagement between the
cartridge case and the extractor hooks (7) is only a frictional
connection. A powerful spring is, thus, employed to stress the
extractor hooks (7) toward the cartridge case in order to ensure
the cartridge case remains captured between the hooks (7) during
withdrawal and, thus, to ensure reliable ejection.
[0024] From the foregoing, persons of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that improved cartridge ejection arrangements have
been disclosed. Further, the ejection arrangements illustrated
above enable the ejection direction to be changed to suit the
marksman or situation presented by the intended use of the
weapon.
[0025] For instance, in the disclosed examples, a stationary
ejector (27) is assigned to one or both of the cartridge extractor
hooks (7) such that, when the breech or bolt head (1) moves
rearward, the cartridge or cartridge case is extracted from the
cartridge chamber by all of the cartridge extractor hooks (7).
Subsequently, the base of the cartridge strikes the stationary
ejector (27), pivots around the cartridge extractor hook (7), and,
in the process, is ejected to the side of the firearm opposite the
ejector (27).
[0026] It is assumed that each of the extractor hooks (7) has only
a limited capacity for keeping the cartridge (23) or cartridge case
in the position in which it is pulled out. The use of several
extractor hooks (7) is beneficial, particularly with problematic
cartridges such as those mentioned above. If an ejector (27) may be
assigned to any of the extractor hooks (7), except for those on
whose side the ejection is to take place, then the ejection can
take place in any desired direction.
[0027] Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
the possible number of extractor hooks (7) is limited by practical
considerations such as weight and cost. Typically, three or more
extractor hooks will only be practical for cartridges with very
large diameters. In keeping with these considerations, the examples
illustrated above include only two opposed cartridge extractor
hooks (7) and one movable ejector (27). This approach is sufficient
for Bullpup weapons.
[0028] If the ejector (27) includes two ejector projections
arranged on opposite sides of one of the two cartridge extractor
hooks (7) and which run in longitudinal grooves of the breech or
bolt head (1) that are in open communication with the front face of
the bolt head (1) on both sides of the cartridge extractor hook
(7), then an ejection arrangement is created, which extracts even
difficult cartridges and cartridge cases. This arrangement can be
converted with the simplest of resources from right to left
ejection and vice versa. In particular, to convert the ejection
arrangement from right to left ejection or vice versa, only the
ejector projections need be moved. The locations of the breech and
the extractor hooks (7) remain unchanged.
[0029] Conventional cartridge extractor hooks have hooked shaped
ends with surfaces turned toward the breech block to engage a
cartridge border. Unlike these prior art extractor hooks, the
extractor hooks (7) disclosed herein have ends with surfaces that
form an acute angle relative to a plane parallel to the front face
(5) of the bolt head (1) such that the surfaces are angled out from
the breech block (5) toward the front of the weapon. Preferably,
this acute angle ranges between 0.degree. and 15.degree..
[0030] In the above mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,651, the
extractor hooks are designed to complement the profile of the
cartridge border with which they are to be used. In contrast, in
the disclosed example in which the surface of the extractor hooks
(7) form acute angles relative to a plane parallel to the front
face (5) of the bolt head (1), cartridges of widely varying styles
may be used (e.g., a cartridge (23) whose border is parallel to the
front surface (5) of the bolt head (1) or a cartridge having a
border which is turned away from the front surface (5) of the bolt
head (1) (e.g., flare cartridges)) Such cartridge cases are
manufactured by turning on a lathe or by indirect extrusion.
[0031] Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
the above disclosed arrangements may be used for all kinds of small
arms. It is particularly advantageous to employ these arrangements
with large caliber cartridges. For example, it is especially
preferred to employ the illustrated arrangements with a repeating
or semi-automatic shot gun. In such circumstances, the structural
diversity and mutual deviation between cartridges of the same
caliber is particularly great. On the other hand, the need for
retrofitting a weapon for left-handed and right-handed marksmen is
also particularly great. Such a weapon is typically not a personal
weapon like an automatic rifle, which can accompany a soldier
during practically his entire period of duty, but rather is often
only given out for special operations.
[0032] Example cartridge extraction and ejection assemblies are
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney
Docket No. 20020/10047), which has been incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference. Example breech mechanisms are disclosed in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
20020/10047) and in U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney
Docket No. 20020/10055), which is hereby incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference.
[0033] Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of
manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of
this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of
manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims
either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *