Abstract: An automatic cannon, especially for cylindrical, telescoped shells, comprises a receiver in which is rotatably mounted an interconnected gun barrel and barrel extension or rotor. The rotor is connected to a power source, which may be an external source, for being driven at a relatively uniform rotational velocity for firing. A chamber having two laterally spaced apart, feed through, shell-holding cavities, is radially slidably mounted in a centrally located, transverse rotor aperture. Three cooperative camming means, responsive to rotor rotation, cause shell feeding, firing and ejection. Shell camming means simultaneously transport shells from an associated feeder into the chamber cavities and fired shell casings from the chamber cavities to a receiver ejection port.

Abstract: An automatic cannon, especially for cylindrical, telescoped shells, comprises a receiver in which is rotatably mounted an interconnected gun barrel and barrel extension or rotor. The rotor is connected to a power source, which may be an external source, for being driven at a relatively uniform rotational velocity for firing. A chamber having two laterally spaced apart, feed through, shell-holding cavities, is radially slidably mounted in a centrally located, transverse rotor aperture. Three cooperative camming means, responsive to rotor rotation, cause shell feeding, firing and ejection. Shell camming means simultaneously transport shells from an associated feeder into the chamber cavities and fired shell casings from the chamber cavities to a receiver ejection port.

Abstract: Enclosed is a self-powered telescoped ammunition revolver gun, including a frame which mounts a revolver cylinder having circumferentially spaced chambers and a cylindrical exterior surface on which is formed at least two U-shaped open cam channels, each having forward facing open entrance and exit ends spaced apart by the same angular distance as the chambers. First and second elongated drive cylinders extend forward from the frame on separate axes disposed outboard of the revolver cylinder and circumferentially spaced apart by their same angular distance as the chambers. Each drive cylinder mounts a spring loaded operating rod having a gas piston at its forward end and an exposed cam driver/follower proximate its rear end for successively engaging the U-shaped open cam channels to rotate the revolver cylinder and drive the gun as the rod reciprocates linearly in its drive cylinder.

Abstract: A lightweight grenade launcher utilizing a rotary feed mechanism in conjunction with a toggle link bolt movement mechanism to incorporate the barrel, flash suppressor, bolt and toggle link mechanism as part of the gun's recoiling mass with the barrel moving during recoil and counter recoil through a center aperture in the rotary sprocket of the feed mechanism.

Abstract: The safety of semi-automatic pistols and like firearms is improved by making them double action only combined with novel features that include use of roller bearings for support of trigger and sear assemblies, structuring them for constant pressure trigger pull, automatic blocking the firing pin from reaching the cartridge until the firearm is fully locked in the battery position and structuring operation of the sear so it can engage the firing pin only when the trigger pulls it rearward.

Abstract: The safety of semi-automatic pistols and like firearms is improved by making them double action only combined with novel features that include use of roller bearings for support of trigger and sear assemblies, structuring them for constant pressure trigger pull, automatic blocking the firing pin from reaching the cartridge until the firearm is fully locked in the battery position and structuring operation of the sear so it can engage the firing pin only when the trigger pulls it rearward.

Abstract: The safety of semi-automatic pistols and like firearms is improved by making them double action only combined with novel features that include use of roller bearings for support of trigger and sear assemblies, structuring them for constant pressure trigger pull, automatic blocking the firing pin from reaching the cartridge until the firearm is fully locked in the battery position and structuring operation of the sear so it can engage the firing pin only when the trigger pulls it rearward.

Abstract: An automatic gun comprises a barrel, a receiver connected to the barrel and a bolt and bolt carrier mounted in the receiver for recoil and counterrecoil movement between the barrel breech and a recoil position rearwardly of a shell pick up position and a casing ejection port. The bolt carrier has a cam track formed along it and the bolt has a pivotally mounted casing extractor and an ejection recess in an opposite region. The forward end of a cam follower is pivotally mounted to the receiver forwardly of the pick up position. The follower has a pair of belt feeding pawls mounted centrally, an inwardly-directed ejection tip at the rearward end and a cam track follower in engagement with the bolt carrier cam track. A belt feeding adaptor is detachably connected to the receiver above the cam follower for receiving an ammunition belt. In response to forward bolt carrier movement, the cam follower is pivoted outwardly, moving the feed pawls into engagement with a belted shell outboard of the pick up position.

Abstract: A self-powered, belt-fed automatic gun for firing cylindrical, telescoped ammunition is described. Mounted in receiver portions of the gun, to which a barrel is connected, are a shell chamber, a chamber carrier assembly, a shell rammer assembly and shell feeding and casing ejecting assembly. The shell rammer and chamber carrier assemblies are mounted in the receiver for axial reciprocating movement, the chamber being interconnected with the carrier assembly so that recoil movement of the carrier assembly moves the chamber laterally from a firing position to a loading position, counterrecoil movement of the carrier assembly causing the chamber to move back to the firing position. Responsive to chamber movement from the firing position to the loading position a shell is moved into a feed position rearwardly adjacent to the chamber.

Abstract: A breech/receiver assembly for automatic cannon incorporates a rotating chamber and a recoil and counterrecoil buffer integrated within the breech. The breech, including the buffer means, recoils with the barrel and because the mass of the buffer is added to the breech and barrel, recoil forces transferred to trunions mounting the breech/receiver assembly are significantly reduced. The configuration of the breech/receiver assembly, including the rotating chamber and integrated recoil/counterrecoil buffer, enables a shorter receiver, thereby enabling a vehicle-mounted cannon utilizing the breech/receiver assembly of the present invention to elevate to high angles while still maintaining a relatively low gun silhouette.

Abstract: A self-powered, belt-fed automatic gun for firing cylindrical, telescoped ammunition is described. Mounted in receiver portions of the gun, to which a barrel is connected, are a shell chamber, a chamber carrier assembly, a shell rammer assembly and shell feeding and casing ejecting assembly. The shell rammer and chamber carrier assemblies are mounted in the receiver for axial reciprocating movement, the chamber being interconnected with the carrier assembly so that recoil movement of the carrier assembly moves the chamber laterally from a firing position to a loading position, counterrecoil movement of the carrier assembly causing the chamber to move back to the firing position. Responsive to chamber movement from the firing position to the loading position a shell is moved into a feed position rearwardly adjacent to the chamber.

Abstract: A lightweight ammunition belt link comprises first, second and third elongate, tubular shell holding rings sized to slidingly receive cylindrical, telescoped amunition. First and second webs interconnect the three shell-holding rings so that the first and second rings are axially spaced apart on a first longitudinal axis and the third ring is on a second longitudinal axis, which is laterally separated from the first axis by slightly over one shell diameter, the third ring is offset between the first and second rings which are spaced apart so that in forming the ammunition belt, the third ring of one link fits between, the first and second rings of a next link, and can be axially aligned therewith. A shell installed into the first and second ring of one link and the interposed third ring of an adjacent link connects the two links together and forms a pivot point enabling one link to hinge around the adjacent link for belt storage.

Abstract: A telescoped ammunition round utilizing nonstrategic materials is light-weight and enables the use of conventional particulate propellants as well as conventional components such as projectiles and primers if desired. Webs molded into the case interior facilitate molding of the case and provide for supporting the projectile therein before and during the loading of particulate propellant into the case. In addition, the webs are operative for decreasing the longitudinal resistance of the case thereby reducing inward movement of the primer when struck by a firing pin thereby reducing the possibility of misfire. The projectile is prevented from debulleting during handling and is provided with preselected shot-start characteristics by an opening formed through the cap and a plurality of holes formed in the cap to provide proper resiliency in the cap for holding the projectile before firing and retarding the projectile momentarily upon firing.

Abstract: A breech/receiver assembly for automatic cannon incorporates a rotating chamber and a recoil and counterrecoil buffer integrated within the breech. The breech, including the buffer means, recoils with the barrel and because the mass of the buffer is added to the breech and barrel, recoil forces transferred to trunions mounting the breech/receiver assembly are significantly reduced. The configuration of the breech/receiver assembly, including the rotating chamber and integrated recoil/counterrecoil buffer, enables a shorter receiver, thereby enabling a vehicle-mounted cannon utilizing the breech/receiver assembly of the present invention to elevate to high angles while still maintaining a relatively low gun silhouette.

Abstract: A breech/receiver assembly for automatic cannon incorporates a rotating chamber and a recoil and counterrecoil buffer integrated within the breech. The breech, including the buffer means, recoils with the barrel and because the mass of the buffer is added to the breech and barrel, recoil forces transferred to trunions mounting the breech/receiver assembly are significantly reduced. The configuration of the breech/receiver assembly, including the rotating chamber and integrated recoil/counterrecoil buffer, enables a shorter receiver, thereby enabling a vehicle-mounted cannon utilizing the breech/receiver assembly of the present invention to elevate to high angles while still maintaining a relatively low gun silhouette.

Abstract: A linkless ammunition magazine for guns includes an endless, shell-holding conveyor having two, spaced apart bicycle-type chains which are entrained over several pairs of guides that confine the conveyor to a convoluted path within a housing. During firing of an associated gun, an externally driven sprocket drives the conveyor in a direction advancing conveyor-held shells towards a shell transfer position located just downstream of the drive sprocket. A pair of guides located just upstream of the shell transfer position, is compliantly mounted to deflect in response to fast start up of the drive sprocket upon initiating of firing, in a direction enabling only a short segment of the conveyor upstream of the transfer position to move before further upstream portions of the conveyor start moving, fast shell feeding from the onset of firing being thereby enabled.

Abstract: For an automatic cannon, a pneumatic bolt and sear buffer comprises a housing fixed rearwardly of a breech ring, a cylinder, an end plate and a low mass piston projecting forwardly through the cylinder. A pin transversely installed through the piston, into slots in the cylinder and housing, limits relative axial movement between the piston, cylinder and housing. A forward cylinder flange also limits rearward cylinder movement relative to the housing. Pressurization of gas in a pressure chamber defined by the cylinder, piston and end plate is through an end plate valve. A bolt sear is pivotally mounted to a sear bracket extension of the cylinder, forwardly of the piston. After firing, recoil impact of a reciprocating bolt assembly drives the piston rearwardly into the cylinder, and upon bolt searing the cylinder is pulled forwardly relative to the piston; in both cases the buffer gas is further compressed, acting as a massless spring.

Abstract: A programmed shell casing ejector apparatus, for an automatic cannon having an axially reciprocating bolt assembly, includes an ejector member axially slidably mounted to the bolt assembly, a pair of cam tracks symmetrically fixed to a cannon mount, and a corresponding pair of cam track followers pivotally mounted to the bolt assembly to engage the ejector member and, as the bolt assembly recoils, the cam tracks. Ejection through an ejection port of a fired shell casing, held to a bolt face by an extractor, is caused when the ejector member is moved forwardly relative to the recoiling bolt assembly by the cam track followers as the followers move along the cam tracks.

Abstract: An open-framework receiver automatic cannon comprises a cannon barrel and a breech ring mounting the barrel and through opposite sides of which intermediate regions of first and second elongate rigid tubular support members are received, with longitudinal axes thereof parallel to, equally spaced to sides of, and coplanar with, a barrel bore axis. Forward and rearward ends of the support members are respectively interconnected by a barrel support and a detachable recoil buffer which includes a bolt sear. Reciprocating movement of a bolt and a bolt carrier assembly is guided by longitudinal slots in the support members and a plate mounted between the buffer and breech ring. Disposed in the support members are means for driving the bolt assembly forwardly on unsearing; apparatus for causing recoil of the bolt carrier after firing to enable bolt unlocking and inertia means for reducing bolt carrier bounce from the breech ring on forward impact.

Abstract: A method of constructing a welded metal skin boat hull includes forming a framework from transverse and transom frames connected to a margin plate and to a keel and stem assembly, and adjustably bolting to the frames and connecting together, as appropriate, longitudinal and transom stringers, outer surfaces of which are spaced outwardly from frame outer surfaces. Spacing of the longitudinal stringers on the frames divides the hull exterior into narrow longitudinal, non-compound curved regions, corresponding longitudinal hull skin panels being formed from flat sheets to bridge adjacent stringer pairs. Skin panel edges are clamped to corresponding stringers by external fairings adjustably bolted to the stringers, the bottom fairings being shaped as liftstrakes. A transom plate is tackwelded or clamped to the transom stringers. Frames, skin panels and fairings, are adjusted to realign the hull to specifications before welding.