US2297693A - Autoloading firearm - Google Patents

Description

@et 6, 1942. A. A. DlcKE AUTOLOADING FIREARM Filed Nov. 2, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Get., 6, 1942. A. A. DlcKE AUTOLOADING FIREARM Filed Nov. 2, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .iwi WNW mwmw @M im i..

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'INVENTOR //n Waffe ATTORNEY Patented Oct. i942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUToLoAnING FmEAaM AllenA. Dicke, Montclair, N. I.

Application Novemberl 2, 1940, Serial No. 363,961

Y 1s claims. (c1. .lzmf -This invention relates to autoloading ilrearms whether of the small arms type such as automatic pistols, autoloading riiles, sub-machine guns, or machine guns, or of the larger type generally designated as ordnance, and has for an object to improve such devices bygassuring that against axial or rotary movement), thereby prek venting opening 'of the breech mechanism until the gas pressure has dropped to a certain point.

A more specic object is to provide such a construction in which the supporting collar is the connected breech block being temporarily held in position against such axial movement.

Another object is to provide a device in which the enclosing collar is normally held against axial movement but is free to rotate, said collar being provided with an abutment co-acting with an axially movable non-rotatable breech block by means of lugs or interrupted threads thereon, or equivalent co-acting means, whereby the block is held in closed position while the gas pressure is suiliciently high so that the expanded chamber holds the collar against rotation but that when the gas pressure drops and the chamber contracts` the collar is rotated through rearward axial movement of the breech block.

Another object of the invention is to providea device `in which the enclosing collar is normally held against axial movement but is free to rotate, said collar being provided with a rearward extension engaging with a rotatable breech bolt so that rotation and opening of the breech bolt is prevented until the gas pressure has dropped to a certain point.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from consideration@ of the specication as illustrated by the accompanying drawings of possible embodiments of the invention, in which drawings:

Fig. l is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of a firearm illustrating one form the invention may take;

Fig. 2 shows an explosion gas pressure-time for abnormally high pressure and abnormally low pressure cartridges.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a portion of the receiver and barrel parts of andirectly connected with the breech block for longitudinal movement therewith, said collar and other re'arm illustrating the invention;

Fig. 4 is a view, partly in vertical cross-section,

ofthe arm shownin Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is Aa cross-section taken on the line 5-5 'of F18. 3;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a cross-'section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 4:

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional vi w of a part of another ilrearm illustrating th invention;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the The barrel Il is shown threaded to the receiver L3 as at llc. In the form shown, the receiver has a passage I3a which may be either round or rectangular in cross-section. within which passage is located for axial movement the breech block I4 having integrally formed therewith a forwardly extending collar lla whichl surrounds and fits rather closely upon the expandible portion I Ib of the chamber. The breech bloclrilis biased forwardly by means ot spring i5 bearing against an abutment, such as the closing screw 6. It will be seen that when the cartridge l2 is fired, by any suitable tiring mechanism not illustrated, the gas pressure will rise rapidly, as shown in Fig. 2, causing the expandible chamber IIb to expand slightly (possibly .0005 to .002 inch) gripping the collar Ha and preventing the opening ofthe breech. This condition continues ntil the gas pressure has dropped to a certain point as, for example, the value indicated by the line a-a (Fig. 2). When this point is reached (point y) the chamber part i Ib contracts, due to its natural resiliency, and frees the collar Ida, whereupon the breech block I4 is driven rearwardly, due to the residual pressure compressing spring l5.

For convenience in electing the red cartridge case, the breech block is preferably formed as curve of a normal cartridge and similar curves shown, i. e., the breech block contains a bolt Il Itwill be-noted that the closing screw I6 is formedwith a forward extension I6a in lineA with. the bolt v portion 11b.` Therefore, as th'e breech block I4 is driven rearwardly-by the remaining .g

against the Abolt l 24'.-` -However, at' the same4 time;V 0;

gas pressure acting through bolt head pl1a, the.

Abolt andblock will move back. together until the fired case has beenwithdrawn from the chamber, ,i

(assisted if necessary by extractor I'ld preferably carried by the bolt head Ha). vThereafter, bolt f Y this point is' reached, `the-,chambe'r part 2'Ibconblock |14 continues to travelto vthe end of its l1 is arrested Vby the extension lia, wh'ereas the movement (the parts now are in the dotted line vposition of Fig. l). `At this time, ejectionv of` the v'case by suitableknown means (not shown) is effected. ADuring subsequent forward movement e of thev breech block i4,a new cartridgasuch as the one indicatedat 2a,.is pushed vforwardlyinto thechamber..A 'rhenringmechanismhaving been retracted during the excursionl of the b oltrthe gun has been completely -and-'automatically-reloaded and-upon release of. the firing mechanism, whether automaticallyror by Aanother-pull offthe trigger, the arm will again,"A fire and the cycle be In the form shown in Figs. ..3 Ato 7 inclusive,;the numeral 2l represeutsthe barrelv threaded tothe receiver 23 as at 2lc. The barrel is `formed with I a chamber 2la,.va portionoffwhich 2lb, is reduced,

in externaldiameter. The lchamber is closed by .means of a Vbreech block 24 shown as-attached to la tube 24a .slidably mounted in a passage .23a in the receiver.. V'.l'hisrpassage may be either round .or rectangulanas the bolt 24 and tube 24a are -not adapted to rotate.

25 indicates aliandler sil-dable in a slot 25a` in the side of' the receiver.v This handle may be used to-;operate. the action manually when de- .'sired4 @11d may Y also serve .l the purpose of preventfingrotationf ofthe bolt. -Theforward end of the 'vbolt124 is provided-with lugs 2liv and 26a. Y

The; reduced-- expandible portion 2lb of the chamber. issurrounded by a collar 21 fitting .loosely Ythereonand connedY axially between a Yflugs hav'eamcorresponding helical form. Connected with said passages 29a are entrance passages 29b located generally horizontallyisee Figs.

..4.and 6).l

InV the form shown, the action spring 3,0 is located in the receiver with its forward end within the tube 23a, which spring tends to push the bolt forward tightly against the `head of the cartridge 22 within the chamber.

It will be noted that the helix angle of the passages 29a and the faces of the lugs 26 and 26a is so .great that axial movement of the bolt will cause rotation of the collar 21, 29. It will there` fore be notedthat if the handle 25 is pulled rearwardly, the lugs 29 and 26a will cause rotation of the collar v21, 29 clockwise, as viewed from the rear, to an extent of 90 in the form shown, at which time the entrance passages 29h align with said lugs, and the bolt may be freely drawn rearwardly. During this time the unred cartridge in the chamber, if any, is extracted by means of any suitable extractor carried by the bolt 24 (shown in cross-section and indicated by the numeral 24h in Fig. 5).

-If the gunis closed-with va cartridge 22 in the chamber and the 'firing mechanism' (striker or firing pin) is a'ctuatedthe cartridge will be exploded,:r'esulting in 'a powerful rearward thrust the reduced #chamberf portion '2lb' i's Vslightly expanded, grasping-.thee'col1ar`12'1"and holding'it against rotation." It' will .-thereforefbe impossible for the lugsito'move rearwardlyfand the bolt will remain in closedl position. until 'the gas pressure has dropped to a predetermined value,v` such as that represented by theline H in Fig.'2.' When tion through 90 of the collar 21, 29,.,thus locat;

ing the entrance passages 29h vertically, permitting the lugs 26, 26a, to pass rearwardly,

.whereby the bolt 2t and its carrying tube 24a may move rearwardly .the full distance (somewhat greater than the length of the cartridge),

z :while storing energy in.the compression of spring 30. v 1

' Immediately thereafter, the bolt are pushed forwardly, pushing the next cartridge 22a f upwardly and forwardly v-into the chamber. In the form shown, the bullet passes up through the entrance slot 2,917.'- When the bolt has almost reached its forward limit of movement, the lugs A 26, 26a, pass in throughthe entrance slots 2lb until their forward edges strike the helical front surface of the passageA 29a, rotating the collar 21, 29 counterclockwise, as viewed'from the rear. thus closing the action,Uy f

The numeral 3l designates a plunger biased upwardly by spring 32 and `bearing normally in a `recess 21a in the collar 21'. It Ywill be v.noted from Fig.'7, thatthe plunger doesnot normally` enter fully within -recess21a but vbears only on one side thereofso as `tortend to rotate --the collar 21 counterclockwise, as viewed from 4the rear. This serves to take up. any slack which might be present'rbetween-thehelical faces. of the lugs 24 and 26a.-.and': the .helical passage 29a, .and will also serve-to -assure that the collar 21 will be pressedirmly `against abutment shoulder. 28.

This construction assures minimuml head space and play. l The collar 214s formed-withanother depression 2-1-b slightlymore than .90? from the-depression 21a. When the gun isfopened,whe'therfby' hand or .as a result of firing; depression 21h aligns with the plunger Il and'assures that the collar 21, 29 will be held in proper position-so thaty the entrance openings 29h will be vertically arranged and in proper alignment with the lugs 2l, 26a.

Any suitable nring mechanism may be employed such as a striker II biased forwardly by a spring (not shown). The rear end of said striker is shown as formed with an arm It with which is engageable the hook 31 of a scar 99 biased clockwise by spring 39. The sear is shown as provided with a pin 38a with which engages a shoulder 49a on a disconnector bar 4I pivotally connected at 4la with the trigger 4I. Trigger spring 42 serves to rock the trigger clockwise. The disconnector bar 49 is shown as having an upwardly extending finger 40h lying in the path of a part of the breech block tube 24a. Aswill Vhelical surfaces on be readily understood,

position even though the shooter continues td.

hold the trigger retracted. Therefore, as the breech block is pushed forwardly the hook 31A engages with the arm V36 and holds the striker back in position ready for firing the next cartridge.'

Operation If the magazine, which may be a boxmagazine, tubular magazine, cartridge belt, or cartridge drum, is filled with cartridges andthe peint. r, nemeiy, after abeutrz units it' handle 25 drawn rearwardly, the collar 21,' 281' will rotate clockwise about 26, 26a, and permitting the breech block to be retracted the full limit of its movement against the action of spring 30. Thereupon, by usual means, the first cartridge in the Vmagazine is placed in position for insertion into the chamber. By releasing handle 25, this cartridgeis pushed forwardly into the chamber. During this movement, the lugs 26, 26a pass 'through the now vertically disposed thereuponl rotate the collar 21, 29about 90 counter clockwise, due to the coactioriof the the lugs and on the collar 29.. As the bolt reaches its forward limit of movement with its face against the head of the cartridge in the chamber, the plunger 3i snaps into recess 21a, thus rotating the collar 21, 29 slightly counter clockwise, assuring that the collar 21 bears firmly against abutment and that the collar 29 bears firmly against the rear faces of lugs 26, 26a, thus eliminating play and excessive head space.

If the trigger is now pulled, the striker I6 is released and the cartridge exploded. This immediately causes a slight expansion of the thin section 2lb of the chamber, thus holding the collar 21 against rotation, As a result of which, .lugs 20, 26a cannot move rearwardly and the action remains closed. until the gas pressure has dropped to a, predetermined point, say that represented by line a-a in Fig. 2, i. e., at the tridge represented by point, the chamber the full line curve. At this part 2lb contracts, freeing collar 21 which now rotates about 90 clockwise under the thrust of the remaining gas pressure, thus freeing the breech block for its'rearward excursion, during which extraction and ejection occur. On its forward excursion, the breech block pushes the next cartridge into the chamber, the bullet thereof in the form shown passing up through-one of the entrance slots 28h. As the breech block reaches its. forward limit of movement, the collar 21, 20 is again rotated counter clockwise about 90 to its normal locking position. This cycle of operation can of course be repeated as ions as cartridges are available in the magazine.

In addition to its great simplicity and cheapmessen advantage ci this construction is that the gun willl reload reliably even in spite of variations inl/the power of the ammunition used. It s well known that it is very difficult to load :artridges uniformly and that even though this s accomplished the cartridges will, upon long ztorage, deteriorate thuscausing unequal gas nessures.

entrance passagesA 29h andv This condition continues point y for the normal car-.-

90", releasing the lugscurve of a normalcartridge whereas ythe dotted Ilines represent respectively the pressure-time curve of low powered and high powered car" tridges. Assuming that the gun in question is set to"open at a pressure of 1,000 units, when the normal cartridge is used the opening will occur afte'iabout 33 units of time. If, however, a weak cartridge is used, the gun opens at the of time ami with a powerful cartridge the gun opens at t'.

namely, after about 39 units of time. As the gas pressure when the gun opens is the same irrespective of the power of the cartridge. it is obvious that the same pressure and forcewiii.

available to operate the action. rectly contraryto the experience with gas cpei- This iS ziiated guns which open earlier for high power cartridges and later for low power cartridges,

the direct opposite of the desired action.

Another form illustrative of the invention is shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10, wherein the breech closing mechanism is of the rotary bolt type. The bolt may be similar to that of any high powf-erbit action rifle, such as the Springfield model 'l being slightly greater man againstrotationjby excessive gas pressure.

bolt may be carried, as shown, by a tubular `member Bla'within which the forming an integral part of the 'of `lsiltwith the exception that 'however in that itV 'of th'e boitbut has ,extensions 51a and 51h which 4employed' to hold the collar 51 'due' to the helical vsurfaces and the cooperating lugs 55 the lug facce `and "their crd-acting abutmentswithin the re ceiv'er'are of helical conformation, the helix angle the angle of repose.

In the forni shown the barrel 2| may be of the vsaune construction as that shown in Figs. 3v and 4; The chamber supporting collar 51 diiers does not support the thrust co-act with and prevent rotation of the lugs 50 and 56a of the bolt 54 when the collar 51 is held The action spring 5l normal position 53h, preferably receiver 53. A 32 is preferably in its desired rois'housed. vThe bolt lugs are in locatedbetween lugs 53a and plunger 3,! actuated byspring inFigs. `3 "to 7' inclusive, the plunger preferably rests within its depressions in such a way as to Veliminate play between the extensions 51a and 51h and the lugs 5l and 56a. Y operation Whenilring occurs, the rearward thrust against thev bolt 54 tends to cause rotation of the bolt on the rear lug faces 53a in the receiver. However, rotation is Vprevented by the extensions 51a and 61h ofthe collar 51, which is held in place by the expansion of the chamber. The breech therefore remains closed until the gas pressure 'drops to a point where the chamber portion 2lb contracts. freeing the collar 51 and permitting the' action to open. During this'time, the collar 51 is rotated about 90. On the rearward excursion of the bolt, extraction and ejection occur -by usual means not shown and on the return stroke, the nextcartridge 22a is pushed into the chamber, the bullet thereof being moved forwardly `and upwardly through the space betweenv extensions 51a and 51h which are now arranged generally vertically. When the bolt is almost home, the front faces of lugs 56 and 56a strike cooperating inclined surfaces 53h on the receiver, thus causing rotation of the bolt to its Y Fig. 2 indicates in full line the pressure-time 75 locking position, carrying collar 51 along. The

gun is now ready to be fired again, which cycle desired, ,Y As'guns.ofithis type frequently-'a nicmdinwsi 10" ycharmer',portion"is likely to becomejheafted toa likewise," Ha, f not tothe saine. temperature in expansion of the chamber relative to the collar this possible 1 diiiicult'y, itis proposed tomakefthe supporting emcient of expansion plunger 2 Iy 'i'ormed'as atube of may be repeated indefinitely as long as ammunition is available. The dimensions of the reduced chamber section as shown in the drawings are not intended to be accurate for al1 purposes.` The wall thickness would be computed according to the power of the cartridge and the' gas pressure at which opening times in'duick'. succession. the barrel rather high. temperature. 21, or 5 1 wi llalso become heated but probably mamme result to an undesired extentg. To V`overcome 'chamber portion;

porting member, whereby the breech closing member is held closed until after the gas pressure has dropped sufciently low to permit contraction of the weakened chamber portion.

2. In a firearm, a barrel having a cartridge receiving chamber formed therein, at least a part of the chamber portion of said barrel being formed as a tube of such reduced thickness that the gas #cartridge-exploded in said-cham;

v'f''expanding' 'the' said reduced -`a="supp`o'rting collar closely surrounding saidqdced portion, abreech closing membenfandvme'an's.'associated with said supportcollar of a material having.' ahlgher' thermal cothany the steel used for the barrel. For this purpose the use of certain stainless steels known to have a efllcient is contemplated. 4

Fig. T11 is a cross-section throughithe ychaxirber of a gunot any of the illustrated ing a modified iormff .Instead'of depending upon ythe expansionof the chamber tofg'rip -the-supporting collar A(as Ma, 21,

wall 2li may be made considerably thicker and* the supporting collar llzsomewhat thinner. The chamber` wa1l'2l:r is perforated to receive a having its endsformed concentric with the barrel bore.' When the gun is fired, the

plunger 2W will be shifted very slightly, its outer end being thrust against the collar A21x and holding it against movement until the gas pressure 'subsides to a certain value. If desired. the plunger may be formed shouldered as shown with a washer Ilz of rubber or the like to provide slight resiliency and to assure proper sealing.

It vwill be noted that in the forms shown in Figs. 3 to 10 inclusive, the thrust on the block 24 or bolt 54 can cause rotation of the collar only through a negative me- 'chanicaladvantaga this being due to the fact that the helixangles are so chosen as to be only slightly greater than the angle of repose. lI'herefore, only-a slight gripping of the collar by theexpansible chamber will suiiice to prevent opening of the action; It is, of course, to be understood that various 'supplemental devices may be used. such as safety devices, single shot or automatic-fire firing mechanism, means for holding the action open when the magazine is empty, barrel cooling means, etc.

The invention is not intended to be limited to the several forms o! construction shown, which are to be understood as illustrative only and not las limiting as various changes in construction and arrangement may be made, it being intended that the patent shall cover -by suitable expression in the appended claims all features of patentable novelty existing in the invention disclosed.

I claim:

-l. In a flrearm, a barrel having a cartridge receiving chamber formed therein, at least a part of said barrel being such reduced thickness that of the' chamber: portion a cartridge exploded in saidv ingmember preventing .opening 'of the breech closing member while the reduced-chamber porft'ion isfei'c'pandedagainst said supporting collar. whereby' :the-breech; closing member is held closed :until after the gas pressure Vciently low` to 20' high expansioncohas dropped suillpermit contraction of the weakened chamber portion and'freeing of said collar.

13.fIn a `firearm, a barrel having a cartridge receiving chamber' formed therein, at least a part"v ofthe chamber portion of said barrel being formed as a'tube of suchreduced thickness"thatv thevgaspressurey of'a cartridge exploded in said chamber z is capable of expanding vthi? .said reduced/chamber portion,.a rotatable supporting collar closely surrounding said. :reduced portion, abreech closing member, zand means associated with said rotatable supporting collar preventing opening of the breech closing -member without rotating said collar, whereby the breech closing member is held closed until after the gas pressure has'dropped sufficiently low to permit contraction of the weakened chamber portion and rotation of said collarr- 4. In a firearm, a :barrel having a cartridge receiving chamber formed therein, .at least a part of the chamber portion of said barrel being formed as a ltube of such reduced thickness that the gas pressure'ofa cartridgeexploded in said chamber is capable of expanding the said re duced chamber portion-, a'rotatable Vsupporting collar closely surrounding said reduced portion. a non-rotatable breech closing member, and helical connecting means, between said breech closing member and said collar whereby the breech closing member is held closed until after the gas pressure has dropped sufficiently low to permit contraction of the weakened chamber portion androtationof said collar.

5. In a firearm, a barrel having a cartridge receivingchamber formed therein, at least a part ofthe chamber portion of said barrel being formed as a tube of such reduced thickness that the gas pressure of a cartridgev exploded in said chamber is capable of expanding the said reduced chamber portion, a receiver, a rotatable supporting collar closely surrounding said reduced portion, a rotatable breech closing member, and helical connecting means between said breech closing member and said receiver, means connected with the supporting collar for preventing rotation of said breech closing member without rotating said vsupporting collar, whereby the breech closing member` is held closed until after the gas pressure has. dropped sufficiently low to permit contraction of "the weakened chamber portion and consequent rotation of said collar and said rotatable ,breech closing member. v

6. The combination according to claim 3 including detent means for holding the supporting collar in its normal rotative position.

y'7. The combination according tovclaim 4 including detent means for holding the supporting collar in its normal rotative position.

8. The combination according to claim including detent means for holding the supporting collar in its normal rotative position.

- 9. The combination according to claim 3 lncluding detent means for holding the supporting collar either in its normal position or in the breech openable position.

10. The combination according to claim 4 including detent means for holding the supporting collar either in its normal position or in breech openable position.

ll. The combination according to claim 5 including detent means for holding the supporting collar either in its normal position or in breech openable position. v

12. The combination according to claim 3 including detent means for holding the supporting collar in its normal rotative position but biased to closed breech position.

13. The combination according to claim 4 including detent means for holding the supporting collar in its normal rotative to closed breech position.

14. The combination according to claim 5 including detent means for holding the supporting collar in its normal rotative position but biased to closed breech position.A

l5. In a firearm, a barrel having a cartridge receiving chamber formed therein, at least a part of the chamber portion of said barrel being formed as a tube of such reduced thickness that the gas pressure of a cartridge exploded in said chamber is capable of expanding the said reduced chamber portion. a breech vclosing member formed with a collar closely surrounding said reduced portion, whereby the breech closing member is held closed until after the gas pressure has dropped suilciently low to permit position but biased contraction of the weakened chamber portion and freeing of said collar.

16. The combination according to claim 1 in t which the supporting member is made of a material having alhigher co-eilicient of thermal expansion than the material oi' said chamber.

l'l. In a iirearm, a barrel having a cartridge receiving chamber, at least a portion of the chamber being of such reduced thickness that the gas pressure of a cartridge exploded in said chamber is capable of expanding the said reduced chamber portion, a supporting member closely surrounding said reduced portion, said reduced chamber portion and said surrounding member being normally relatively movable, a breech closing member, and means so associated with said supporting member that opening of the breech closing member will cause relative movement between the surrounding supporting member and the reduced chamber portion, whereby opening of the breech closing member is prevented while the reduced chamber portion is expanded against said supporting member so that the breech closing member is held closed until after the gas pressure has dropped suificieitly low to permit contraction of the weakened chamber portion.

18. In a ilrearm,la barrel having a cartridge receiving chamber, at least a portion of the chamber being of such reduced thickness that the gas pressureof a cartridge exploded in said chamber is capable oi expanding the said reduced chamber portion, a supporting member closely surrounding said l`reduced portion, said reduced chamber portion and said surrounding member being normally relatively rotatable, a breech closing member, and means so associated with said supporting member Athat opening of the breech closing member will cause relative rotation between the surrounding supporting member and the reduced chamber portion, whereby opening of the breech closing member is prevented while the reduced chamber portion is expanded against said supporting member so that the breech closing member is held closed until after the gas pressure has dropped suiiiciently low to permit contraction oi the weakened chamber portion.

ALLEN A. DICKE.

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