The present invention relates to an actuation system for a firearm.
In the artillery field, it is known to use firearms that typically comprise a breech ring for geometrically closing the firing chamber of the firearm when firing occurs.
In particular, the breech ring is configured for receiving a shell to be fired. Such firearms also comprise a barrel, through which the shell is intended to be channelled by the breech ring after firing.
For firing the shell, different kinds of actuation systems are known, which control the closing of the breech ring.
However, prior-art actuation systems suffer from a number of drawbacks which should desirably be overcome.
It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved actuation system for a firearm, which are able to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
According to the present invention, this and other objects are achieved through an actuation system having the technical features set out in the appended independent claim.
It is understood that the appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description of the present invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the present invention that include optional technical features.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following detailed description, provided merely as a non-limiting example and referring, in particular, to the annexed drawings as summarized below.
With reference to
In a per se known manner, such firearm 1 comprises a breech ring 12 configured for receiving a shell, e.g. a thirty-millimeter (30 mm) caliber shell, intended to be fired. The firearm 1 comprises a barrel 13, through which the shell is channelled when firing occurs.
Moreover, the firearm 1 comprises an actuation system 2 made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
The system 2 comprises a breechblock assembly 3 configured to close the breech ring 12 of the firearm 1.
Moreover, the system 2 comprises a slide 5, whereon the breechblock assembly 3 is mounted. In particular, the breechblock assembly 3 moves as a unit together with the slide 5.
Furthermore, the system 2 comprises a linear guide, which is per se known (and is not shown), whereon the slide 5 is configured to slide linearly.
The system 2 also comprises a cylindrical cam 4 configured to be rotatably actuated about a central axis X-X by a motor, which is per se known (and is not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the cam 4 is configured to be rotatably driven by the motor in a clockwise direction (in particular when viewing the cam 4 from the rear, i.e. from an opposed side to the breech 12 and the barrel 13, which are situated in front of said cam 4).
The cam 4 co-operates with the slide 5 for controlling the movement of the slide 5 along said linear guide between a first operating position, shown in
By way of non-limiting example, the linear guide may be provided as a casing that surrounds the cam 4, allowing the latter to rotate about the central axis X-X. Such casing may have a straight groove within which the slide 5 is slidably coupled. For example, the groove may be formed on the top of said enclosure, so that the slide 5 is movable over the cam 4.
In the illustrated embodiment, the cam 4 is a single drum-type cam.
In the illustrated embodiment, the cam 4 is a positive-control multi-revolution cam.
With reference to
With reference to
The outer surface of the cam 4 defines a path indicated by reference 42.
In the illustrated embodiment, the slide 5 comprises a coupling element 52 coupled with the path 42 defined by the cam 4. In particular, the coupling element 52 is a pin, and the path 42 is formed by a groove in which said pin is slidably coupled.
With particular reference to
With particular reference to
In addition, the path 42 has a pair of intermediate sections 42c and 42d that connect the first parking section 42a and the second parking section 42b. Through the intermediate sections 42c and 42d, the slide 5 is alternately moved between the first operating position and the second operating position.
The forward intermediate section 42c is configured to allow the slide 5 to move from the first operating position, in the first parking section 42a, to the second operating position, in the second parking section 42b.
The backward intermediate section 42d is configured to allow the slide 5 to move from the second operating position, in the second parking section 42b, to the first operating position, in the first parking section 42a.
Preferably, the forward intermediate section 42c is shaped as a helical portion having a winding direction that is discordant from the rotation direction in which the cam 4 is driven by the motor.
Preferably, the backward intermediate section 42d is shaped as a helical portion having a winding direction that is concordant with the rotation direction in which the cam 4 is driven by the motor.
In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate sections 42c, 42d intersect each other at their ends, at the first parking section 42c on one side and at the second parking section 42d on the other side. In particular, when the intermediate sections 42c, 42d are shaped as helical portions, their intersections form cusp-shaped regions.
Preferably, the system 2 further comprises a routing mechanism 7 configured to assume selectively a forward condition and a backward condition, or blocking condition.
In the forward condition, visible in
Vice versa, in the backward condition, the routing mechanism 7 constrains the slide to move from the second parking section 42b to the first parking section 42a through the backward intermediate section 42d.
In the illustrated embodiment, the routing mechanism 7 comprises a pair of diverters 72a, 72b.
With particular reference to
With particular reference to
In
Preferably, the routing mechanism 7 comprises a synchronization device 70 configured for synchronizing the movement of said pair of diverters 72a, 72b. In this manner, the synchronization device 70 is configured to cause the first diverter 72a and the second diverter 72b to simultaneously provide the connection with the forward intermediate section 42c when the routing mechanism 7 is in the forward condition. Vice versa, the device 70 is configured to cause the first diverter 72a and the second diverter 72b to simultaneously provide the connection with the backward intermediate section 42d when the routing mechanism 7 is in the backward condition.
In the illustrated embodiment, the synchronization device 70 is a bistable linkage. In particular, the linkage has a first stable arrangement, visible in
Preferably, said linkage comprises a shaft 71 configured for simultaneously moving the diverters 72a, 72b each time the routing mechanism 7 switches between the forward condition and the backward condition.
In particular, the shaft 71 is configured for making the diverters 72a, 72b rotate about respective transverse axes of rotation Ya, Yb. For example, the transverse axes of rotation Ya, Yb are substantially parallel to each other and, in a preferred manner, substantially perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis X′-X′ of the shaft 71 and the central axis X-X about which the cam 4 is able to rotate. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis X′-X′ of the shaft 71 and the central axis X-X of the cam are mutually incident and define a plane relative to which the transverse axes of rotation Ya, Yb are substantially perpendicular.
For example, each one of the ends 71a, 71b of the shaft 71 is hinged to an arm of a respective rocker 74a, 74b, which is in turn pivoted about a respective transverse axis of rotation Ya, Yb, and which carries a corresponding diverter 72a, 72b on the opposed arm.
In the illustrated embodiment, the cam 4 rotates as a unit together with the routing mechanism 7. In particular, the diverters 72a, 72b are supported by the outer surface of the cam 4; moreover, the synchronization device 70 is housed inside the cam 4, which is advantageously hollow.
When the actuation system 2 is in operation, at each full revolution of the cam 4 about the axis X-X, the routing mechanism 7 is switched between the forward condition and the backward condition, in particular by means of the synchronization device 70, e.g. through an action exerted by the pin 52 of the slide 5 upon a respective diverter 72a (or 72b), which, through the linkage comprising the shaft 71, causes a simultaneous movement of the other diverter 72b (or 72a). Thus, when the slide 5 starts from the first operating position, it goes into the second operating position after one revolution of the cam 4 and returns into the first operating position from the second operating position after one further revolution of said cam 4. Therefore, after each two revolutions of the cam 4, the actuation system 2 will find itself in the starting position again.
Naturally, without prejudice to the principle of the present invention, the forms of embodiment and the implementation details may be extensively varied from those described and illustrated herein merely by way of non-limiting example, without however departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102019000002635 | Feb 2019 | IT | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IB2020/051536 | 2/24/2020 | WO | 00 |