Ammunition feed mechanism
US4061074A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 1976 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41A9/30
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ammunition feed mechanism for a machine gun includes a sprocket having rtridge feeding and positioning splines. This sprocket rotates in a feed direction to move a belt of linked cartridges into position for chambering and firing. An anti-backup pawl prevents counterrotation and maintains the sprocket in position while a cartridge is chambered. A ratchet release permits bidirectional rotation of the sprocket in loading and unloading of the ammunition belt. The rotation of the sprocket for feeding is done with a cam tube actuator making a ratchet connection with the sprocket. The reciprocating movement of the bolt carrier causes rotary movement of the actuator by means of a pin on the bolt carrier riding in the cam of the actuator. The bolt carrier has a depressible rammer for chambering the cartridges. This permits the bolt carrier to override a subsequently positioned cartridge during carrier recoil instead of the conventional recoiling of the carrier before subsequent moving of the next cartridge to its feed position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.