Patents by Inventor Klaus Lawitzke

Klaus Lawitzke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12000665
    Abstract: A device for driving mechanical safety systems. The device contains a housing in which at least one moving piston is arranged. The piston is connected to a first toothed rack and the first toothed rack is operatively connected to a pinion. A second toothed rack is arranged for movement in the housing. As a result, the second toothed rack is displaced in the opposite direction to the movement of the piston. The device has a locking lever and a shift claw. The shift claw is mounted on the second toothed rack and is arranged such that, on movement of the second toothed rack, the shift claw can actuate the locking lever. A locking bush secures the securing shaft to be driven. The locking bush is initially transferred to an unlocked position on movement of the toothed racks and is returned to a locked position on conclusion of the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Berthold Baumann, Klaus Lawitzke
  • Publication number: 20220244008
    Abstract: A device for driving mechanical safety systems. The device contains a housing in which at least one moving piston is arranged. The piston is connected to a first toothed rack and the first toothed rack is operatively connected to a pinion. A second toothed rack is arranged for movement in the housing. As a result, the second toothed rack is displaced in the opposite direction to the movement of the piston. The device has a locking lever and a shift dog. The shift dog is mounted on the second toothed rack and is arranged such that, on movement of the second toothed rack, the shift dog can actuate the locking lever. A locking bush secures the securing shaft to be driven. The locking bush is initially transferred to an unlocked position on movement of the toothed racks and is returned to a locked position on conclusion of the movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Berthold BAUMANN, Klaus LAWITZKE
  • Patent number: 8479633
    Abstract: A mechanism or drive (100) for a weapon is described, which is characterized by only a limited acceleration of the breech (20) and a jerk- and recoil-free operation, thereby reducing the inertia force and the required power and increasing the repetition rate. The reduction of the required power also results in a reduction of braking power in the case of a quick stop. For this purpose, the rotational motion of preferably a motor (50) or the like is converted to a forward or reverse motion of the breech (20) using the Scotch yoke principle. In order to allow rest periods of the breech in the end limit positions, the rod (3) and the yoke (1) are arranged radially and displaceable relative to each other so that the yoke radius changes when the yoke (1) is rotated. A control cam (6) radially guides the rod (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf-Joachim Herrmann, Klaus Lawitzke, Heiner Schmees, Berthold Baumann
  • Patent number: 8413565
    Abstract: A drive, having a quick stop mechanism, for a breech is axially adjustable relative to a weapon barrel, and includes a motor, two counter-rotating chains and sprocket wheels that guide the chains. Engaging cams and control cams are integrated into the chains. A slide mounted at the bottom of the breech is displaceable transversely to the direction of fire and has a groove that the engaging cams engage to entrain the breech in a forward or reverse motion relative to the direction of fire. The engaging cam transporting the breech forwards is displaced from the groove while the control cam displaces the slide simultaneously to its center position via its ascent ramp, thereby allowing breech rest periods in the forward limit position. Firing causes the slide to move from the center position to the left hand side whereas it remains in the center position when no shot is fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf-Joachim Herrmann, Klaus Lawitzke, Heiner Schmees, Berthold Baumann
  • Patent number: 8402874
    Abstract: A drive for a breech/breech carrier renders it axially adjustable relative to a weapon barrel. The drive includes a motor, two engaging cams mounted on a chain arranged below the breech and guided around two sprocket wheels. A slide is mounted in a guide at the bottom of the breech/breech carrier so as to move at a right angle to the direction of fire, with a groove extending over its entire width. The respective engaging cam entrains the breech in forward motion relative to the direction of fire, or in reverse motion, once the shot is fired, and transports the breech forwards, is displaced from the groove, and moves backwards without the breech, thereby allowing breech rest periods in a forward position. During firing, the slide moves, whereas it remains stationary when no shot is fired so no further engaging cam can entrain the breech backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf-Joachim Herrmann, Klaus Lawitzke, Heiner Schmees, Berthold Baumann
  • Patent number: 8215221
    Abstract: A gun barrel with a gun barrel liner and a breech ring, which are joined with each other by a bayonet thread. A continuous cavity is left between adjacent bayonet ridges of the gun barrel liner and the bayonet ridges of the breech ring that are located axially behind them or in front of them. A locking segment is inserted in at least one of the cavities that is formed in the installed gun barrel liner between adjacent bayonet ridges of the gun barrel liner and the bayonet ridges of the breech ring to prevent unintentional detachment of the gun barrel liner from the breech ring. The locking segment can completely fill the corresponding cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Lawitzke, Ralf-Joachim Herrmann, Bernhard Scheideler, Heiner Schmees
  • Publication number: 20120132061
    Abstract: A mechanism or drive (100) for a weapon is described, which is characterized by only a limited acceleration of the breech (20) and a jerk- and recoil-free operation, thereby reducing the inertia force and the required power and increasing the repetition rate. The reduction of the required power also results in a reduction of braking power in the case of a quick stop. For this purpose, the rotational motion of preferably a motor (50) or the like is converted to a forward or reverse motion of the breech (20) using the Scotch yoke principle. In order to allow rest periods of the breech in the end limit positions, the rod (3) and the yoke (1) are arranged radially and displaceable relative to each other so that the yoke radius changes when the yoke (1) is rotated. A control cam (6) radially guides the rod (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf-Joachim HERRMANN, Klaus LAWITZKE, Heiner SCHMEES, Berthold BAUMANN
  • Publication number: 20110314996
    Abstract: A drive, having a quick stop mechanism, for a breech is axially adjustable relative to a weapon barrel, and includes a motor, two counter-rotating chains and sprocket wheels that guide the chains. Engaging cams and control cams are integrated into the chains. A slide mounted at the bottom of the breech is displaceable transversely to the direction of fire and has a groove that the engaging cams engage to entrain the breech in a forward or reverse motion relative to the direction of fire. The engaging cam transporting the breech forwards is displaced from the groove while the control cam displaces the slide simultaneously to its center position via its ascent ramp, thereby allowing breech rest periods in the forward limit position. Firing causes the slide to move from the center position to the left hand side whereas it remains in the center position when no shot is fired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Joachim HERRMANN, Klaus LAWITZKE, Heiner SCHMEES, Berthold BAUMANN
  • Publication number: 20110290103
    Abstract: A drive for a breech/breech carrier renders it axially adjustable relative to a weapon barrel. The drive includes a motor, two engaging cams mounted on a chain arranged below the breech and guided around two sprocket wheels. A slide is mounted in a guide at the bottom of the breech/breech carrier so as to move at a right angle to the direction of fire, with a groove extending over its entire width. The respective engaging cam entrains the breech in forward motion relative to the direction of fire, or in reverse motion, once the shot is fired, and transports the breech forwards, is displaced from the groove, and moves backwards without the breech, thereby allowing breech rest periods in a forward position. During firing, the slide moves, whereas it remains stationary when no shot is fired so no further engaging cam can entrain the breech backwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Joachim HERRMANN, Klaus LAWITZKE, Heiner SCHMEES, Berthold BAUMANN
  • Publication number: 20090320673
    Abstract: A gun barrel with a gun barrel liner and a breech ring, which are joined with each other by a bayonet thread. A continuous cavity is left between adjacent bayonet ridges of the gun barrel liner and the bayonet ridges of the breech ring that are located axially behind them or in front of them. A locking segment is inserted in at least one of the cavities that is formed in the installed gun barrel liner between adjacent bayonet ridges of the gun barrel liner and the bayonet ridges of the breech ring to prevent unintentional detachment of the gun barrel liner from the breech ring. The locking segment can completely fill the corresponding cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus LAWITZKE, Ralf-Joachim HERRMANN, Bernhard SCHEIDELER, Heiner SCHMEES