Abstract: A semi-automatic rifle including a recoiling barrel adapted to carry rearward the elongated bolt carrier containing the bolt for compressing the recoil spring, and a self-unlocking device including a self-unlocking rod longitudinally slidably mounted on the bolt carrier normally engaging the rear face of the barrel in a battery position and a trigger actuating device for thrusting the self-unlocking rod forward during the early stage of recoil for separation of the bolt carrier from the barrel before the barrel reaches the end of its recoil movement.

Abstract: An M16-type automatic rifle is provided with an improved gas operating system. The tube extending forwardly from the bolt carrier key is of such length that it permanently mates with the aftwardly extending gas transfer tube as the bolt carrier key shuttles forward and aftward in operation. This arrangement minimizes fouling by combustion products from the firing of ammunition. Modifications to the gas transfer tube and barrel nut assembly accommodate the extended bolt carrier key tube and facilitate quick change of the barrel in the field with a standard tool.

Abstract: The field of the invention is that of percussion devices used in automatic weapons.The invention consists of integrating the firing pin 12 with carrier piece 1 during the locking phase and then with the movable bolt head 7 during the recoil phase. The integration means consists of levers 17 pivoting on the firing pin about shaft 18 and bearing on surfaces 23 and 26 on the movable bolt head and counterpin 14, respectively.The invention finds its applications in the field of weaponry and, more particularly, in small- and medium-caliber weapons.

Abstract: It has been shown that at high firing rates or cadences, especially in externally powered firing weapons like Gatling guns, the rebound of the breechblock head during its locking at the rear end of the weapon barrel can have damaging effects. At its rear end the weapon barrel possesses an internal circumferential groove following, in a forward direction of the weapon barrel, an annular flange provided with teeth forming an inner gear toothing. The breechblock head possesses teeth forming an outer gear toothing. In the locked position of the breechblock head the teeth of its outer gear toothing are located in the aforementioned internal circumferential groove and bear upon the teeth forming the inner gear toothing of the annular flange. The damaging effects due to the rebound of the breechblock head can be alleviated or completely avoided by widening the circumferential groove.

Abstract: A fully gas operated pistol includes a frame unit, a barrel unit, a bolt carrier unit slidably supported on the frame unit and a spring which urges the bolt carrier unit into a forward, bolting position. A path links the breech end of the barrel with a rearward pointing cavity near the muzzle end of the barrel. The cavity is adapted to accommodate a piston of the bolt carrier unit. Gases expanding upon the firing of a bullet expand under pressure into the piston accommodating cavity, thus causing the bolt carrier unit to retract.

Abstract: A bolt assembly for an automatic firearm which operates using kinetic recoil energy that includes a floating bolt element, a rotatable locking bolt head and a return spring interposed between them, all in communication with the barrel. The bolt head is formed with a cylindrical portion having two crescent shaped projections located at diametrically opposite points along the circumference of the cylindrical portion. The barrel is formed with two diametrically opposite recesses associated with and shaped to correspond to the projections. The barrel is also formed with a pair of grooves, each groove associated with a recess such that the projections may enter and exit the grooves through the recesses. The grooves are staggered with respect to the recesses and have an angular extension such that the projections may enter and be retained within the grooves.

Abstract: A fully gas actuated pistol comprising a frame assembly adapted to fixedly receive a barrel assembly and slidably receive a bolt carrier assembly is disclosed. The barrel assembly is supported and locked at both its muzzle and breach ends. The pistol provides increased bullet velocity, reduced recoil and improved accuracy.

Abstract: A bolt carrier assembly has a housing (300) for supporting a bolt (317) and a P cross-sectionally shaped member (301) having the longer side of the P-shape secured to the housing, the P-shaped member being forwardly extended with respect to the bolt. The main drive spring (307) is located alongside the wrapped-over portion of the P-shaped member which main drive spring is arranged to provide motion to the housing and P-shaped member. An anti-bounce weight (354) is mounted inside the wrapped-over part of the P-shaped member and has a spring at one end which is compresed by the anti-bounce weight when the P-shaped member is suddenly retarded by the housing to which it is attached striking the barrel assembly. A latch (326-329) is spring biassed and shaped and dimensioned to interleave locking lugs (322) on the bolt (317), the latch being longitudinally retractable with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A single barrel externally powered gun includes a feed mechanism, a bolt assembly, a bolt control assembly and a power transmission system. The bolt control assembly is in the form of a chain drive unit driven continuously along a predetermined path of travel which defines the timing and sequence of loading, ramming, firing and ejecting. The chain drive assembly controls the reciprocating motion of the bolt assembly relative to a fixed non-rotating and non-reciprocating barrel, the bolt being stationary in the firing and loading sequences. The feed mechanism which continuously advances rounds is integrated to the intermittent motion of the bolt by a Geneva wheel mechanism, as the bolt assembly reaches the proper position in its rearward movement. Bolt locking, firing and unlocking are all controlled, and carried on while the chain drive assembly is continuously moving.

Abstract: A gas operated gun having a receiver (1) including a rear wall (100) at one end and a barrel (10) at the other end and a bolt carrier assembly (3) reciprocal within the receiver is arranged to co-operate with a main drive spring (307) that urges the bolt carrier assembly toward the barrel. The gun is designed so that in one aspect of the invention on an automatic cocking cycle the bolt overtravels the cartridge feed station by an amount equal to or greater than the overall length of a live cartridge.In a further aspect, the gun is additionally designed using parameters calculated such that a substantially constant reaction is felt by a user. The parameters involved are essentially the product of sprung weight (the total weight in kg. of all components driven by the main spring).times.springing force (an average value of spring force that accelerates and retards the sprung weight).times.cycling distance (the length of allowable travel of the bolt carrier assembly in meters) is equal to (0.51).sup.2 .times.0.

Abstract: A single barrel externally powered gun includes a feed mechanism, a bolt assembly, a bolt control assembly and a power transmission system. The bolt control assembly is in the form of a chain drive unit driven continuously along a predetermined path of travel which defines the timing and sequence of loading, ramming, firing and ejecting. The chain drive assembly controls the reciprocating motion of the bolt assembly relative to a fixed non-rotating and non-reciprocating barrel, the bolt being stationary in the firing and loading sequences. The feed mechanism which continuously advances rounds is integrated to the intermittent motion of the bolt by a Geneva wheel mechanism, as the bolt assembly reaches the proper position in its rearward movement. Bolt locking, firing and unlocking are all controlled, and carried on while the chain drive assembly is continuously moving.

Abstract: A buffered bolt assembly is disclosed for use in an automatic weapon. A b is received in a sleeve on a bolt carrier and is movable therein both axially and rotationally. One or more cam pins on the bolt are received in respective cam guides in the sleeve to control the bolt's rotational position as a function of its axial position. The aft end of the bolt is provided with at least one and preferably two aftward-projecting bolt extensions, for which corresponding slots are provided in the aft surface of the sleeve. When the bolt carrier and bolt are in the battery or firing position, the bolt extensions protrude through their respective slots. The bolt extensions are of such a length that during the recoil stroke of the bolt assembly, the aft ends of the bolt extensions are flush with the rear outer surface of the aft wall of the sleeve.

Abstract: A firing pin block for a firearm of the type having a rotary breech bolt, a reciprocating bolt carrier, complementary locking lugs formed on the bolt and barrel to releasably secure them together, and cam means drivingly connecting the bolt and bolt carrier for opening and closing the bolt. The firing pin block positively prevents discharge of the firearm at any time when the bolt is unlocked. It does not rely on the presence or good condition of any separate parts, but instead coordinates the cam-actuated rotary operation of the locking lugs with relative longitudinal displacements between the bolt and bolt carrier, to cause the latter to block an enlarged abutment formed on the firing pin whenever the bolt is unlocked.

Abstract: A rifle having a body comprised of hingedly interconnected lower and upper receivers, a trigger and hammer assembly mounted in the lower receiver, a barrel extending from one end of the upper receiver, an integrated bolt assembly removably mounted in the upper receiver, the bolt assembly comprising a bolt carrier slidably mounted on two action rods joined at corresponding first ends by an action plate, the action rods being releasably supported at corresponding ends in the rifle body, a bolt slidably mounted in the bolt carrier, a firing pin slidably mounted in the bolt, compression springs between the action plate and the bolt carrier and retaining means on the action rods to retain the bolt carrier on the action rods and retain the members of the bolt assembly integrated so the bolt assembly can be removed from the upper receiver as a complete unit.

Abstract: A feature of this invention is the provision of a gun bolt for a Gatling type gun having a carriage with a head journaled therein and a firing pin journaled in said head together with a cocking pin disposed in a slot passing through the firing pin, the head and the carriage with a detent disposed in a longitudinal bore of said head aft of said firing pin and having a portion thereof extending forwardly through a longitudinally extending bore in said firing pin and into a cavity in said cocking pin with a spring means disposed in said longitudinal bore of said head aft of said detent and biasing said detent into engagement with said cocking pin.

Abstract: There is disclosed a gas operated, fully automatic weapon system with a d feed mechanism having a long recoil, soft cycle operation. The automatic weapon system consists of six groups or sub-assemblies. These are the backplate (rear end cap/fire control assembly), the dust cover unit, the dual selective rotary feed unit, the operating group unit, the receiver unit, and the barrel unit. These sub-assemblies combine to provide a weapon characterized by lightness of weight, relatively slight recoil force, relatively slow gunfire rate, excellent manual control resulting in good burst fire accuracy in hitting targets, and safety during operation and disassembly.

Abstract: An arrangement in firearms having a barrel and a bolt.The bolt is provided with means mounting the bolt for axial displacement and rotation on the outside of the barrel. A carrier displaceably mounted on the outside of the barrel is operatively connected to the bolt to axially displace the bolt to and from a firing position and to rotate the bolt in said position to engage and disengage the bolt at locking means on the outside of the barrel by axial displacement of the carrier.

Abstract: A firing pin for a firearm, more particularly for a firearm provided with a gas-operated bolt and bolt-carrier, the firing pin being disposed slidably in a longitudinal bore in the bolt. The firing pin of the invention has its shoulder abutment, which limits the stroke of the firing pin, provided with longitudinal apertures, such as slots or holes, preferably disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the firing pin, which provide passageways for the pressure gas operating the bolt-carrier and leaking along the stem of the firing pin. Carbon, or other dirt, is thus prevented from being deposited on the firing pin stem, more particularly at the shoulder abutment.

Abstract: A breech-closing mechanism for an automatic rifle having a breech chamber and a first locking and stop device comprises a longitudinally movable slide formed with a cam slot, a second locking device rigid with a longitudinally slidably bolt mounted in the slide and rotatable relative thereto. A longitudinally movable locking member is non-rotatably mounted in the slide and a radial cam follower pin is rigid with the bolt and extends through an angled slot in the locking member into the cam slot. The locking member is spring-urged forwardly relative to the slide and is carried along by the slide into engagement with the first locking and stop device. The slide moves forwardly relative to the locking member against the spring force when the locking member is in said engagement until the pin is at the forward end of a longitudinal arm of the angled slot.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an automatic firearms having a rotatable drum with helical grooves therein so arranged as to cause a follower guided by said grooves to reciprocate at a speed proportional to the rotational speed of the drum. The reciprocation of the follower causes the breech mechanism to reciprocate between loading and firing positions. The drum is driven by means independent of the propulsion energy of the projectiles fired, and therefore, may be operated at varying speeds by means such as an electric motor or even by hand.

Abstract: A liquid propellant modular gun has a slim profile and is constructed for wide latitude in gun cluster configuration.The modular gun has a stationary barrel and is externally driven and cam operated by a drive cam and a control cam.The drive cam has one internal spiral cam track for driving the bolt forward to a projectile firing position and another internal spiral cam track for driving the bolt rearward to a projectile loading position.The control cam is mounted for rotation at the forward end of the drive cam and controls the injection of liquid propellant into the combustion chamber and an electrical igniter.A water injection mechanism is also associated with the control cam for injecting a small amount of water into the combustion chamber after the firing of each round to cool the combustion chamber structure by internal water cooling. The water injection mechanism is also effective to purge propellant from the combustion chamber in the event of a misfire.

Abstract: An externally powered carrier for an automatic weapon wherein rotary movement of an electric motor is translated into fore and aft movement of the carrier by means of an eccentrically positioned motor driven pin moving laterally in a transverse carrier cam track.

Abstract: This invention relates to firearms of the type disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,053, granted Jan. 28, 1969, in which the principal parts such as actuating sleeve, receiver, frame and breechblock are made from cylindrical extruded metal tubing and metal rods. The combination of a cylindrical actuating sleeve, breechblock, frame, receiver, floating power cylinder, ratchet counter firing mechanism and other incidental parts are used to form a new action for automatic firearms.This new action consists of a cylindrical sleeve carrying a floating power cylinder and functioning as an extractor port seal, breechblock stop and to actuate the ratchet firing counter. The above-mentioned parts and the breechblock lend themselves to manufacture by the use of automatic lathes and screw machines.The use of an actuating sleeve and floating power cylinder results in a favorable mass ratio, which results in a reliable firearm.

Abstract: An automatic weapon firing mechanism consisting of a slideably movable bolt arrier with cam slots cooperating with pins on the bolt and firing pin for rotating the bolt to lock it in battery position for firing and to cock the firing pin during recoil. Continued forward movement of the carrier after the bolt is locked causes the firing pin to sear off and strike the chambered cartridge. The firing pin has its own firing spring so that a constant reliable striking force is applied to the cartridge. Gas from the spent cartridge recoils the bolt carrier, unlocking the bolt and cocking the firing pin during recoil.

Abstract: A firearm includes a housing having a detonation chamber and a projectile-discharge barrel. A displaceable piston is mounted at the discharge end of the barrel and is arranged to be acted upon and extended by combustion gases expelled from the barrel. Forward movement of the piston is transmitted to the housing in a manner tending to counteract recoil. The detonation chamber is arranged to receive a compression-responsive cartridge. A cartridge-detonating bolt is mounted within the bolt for reciprocal movement between cocked and discharge positions. A bolt-follower includes a locking device which is operable to temporarily lock the bolt against return movement to a cocked position while enabling the bolt to rotate. A cam-like configuration of the working end of the bolt compresses the cartridge in response to rotation of the bolt. The bolt-follower is coupled to the displaceable piston such that detonation-induced forward movement of the piston shifts the bolt-follower to an unlocking position.

Abstract: A lightweight one man portable automatic gas-operated weapon system for intry use having symmetrical forces applied to recoiling parts by use of two parallel gas pressure actuated rods acting in unison. An integral sprocket feed system is actuated by the recoiling parts and avoids gross asymmetrical force movements about the weapon's center of gravity resulting from shifting ammunition weight. A dual tube receiver and dual gas system is featured in the weapon. Major weapon subassemblies comprising modules are operatively interrelated to facilitate replacement during field use of the weapon.

Abstract: A bolt latch for use in a firearm having a rotary locking system in which the latch locks the rotational movement of the bolt at all times during the cycle of operations of the gun except during locking and unlocking of the bolt head with the barrel extension.The bolt latch is pivotally mounted to the bolt carrier for movement perpendicular to the axial movement of the bolt and is spring biased outwardly into bolt blocking position wherein the bolt cannot move relative to the bolt carrier and thus rotation of the bolt is prevented. The bolt latch is actuated into non-blocking position (i.e. rotation of the bolt is permitted) as the bolt approaches the breech-closed position by a cam means on the firearm.

Abstract: A firearm includes a housing having a detonation chamber and a projectile-discharge barrel. A displaceable piston is mounted at the discharge end of the barrel and is arranged to be acted upon and extended by combustion gases expelled from the barrel. Forward movement of the piston is transmitted to the housing in a manner tending to counteract recoil. The detonation chamber is arranged to receive a compression-responsive cartridge. A cartridge-detonating bolt is mounted within the bolt for reciprocal movement between cocked and discharge positions. A bolt-follower includes a locking device which is operable to temporarily lock the bolt against return movement to a cocked position while enabling the bolt to rotate. A cam-like configuration of the working end of the bolt compresses the cartridge in response to rotation of the bolt. The bolt-follower is coupled to the displaceable piston such that detonation-induced forward movement of the piston shifts the bolt-follower to an unlocking position.

Abstract: A gas operated firearm capable of at least semi-automatic operation, the firearm including a receiver having a barrel connected thereto, the barrel including a bore with a plurality of radially extending ports through the barrel from the bore. A breach bolt is mounted for reciprocation in the receiver and is adapted for abutting registration in a first position with the cartridge chamber, and includes a locking lug for maintaining the bolt in position abutting the cartridge, when the cartridge is in the chamber. A slide is mounted for reciprocation on the receiver and includes a camming surface which cooperates with the cam on the bolt for unlocking the bolt and effecting reciprocation of the bolt in the receiver upon the slide being drawn to the rear of the firearm.

Abstract: A breechblock or breechblock arrangement for an automatic firing weapon with a breechblock carrier in which there is rotatably and axially displaceably mounted a substantially cylindrical breechblock body, a control bolt arranged transversely with respect to the breechblock body axis and which penetrates through the breechblock body. Each end of the control bolt is surrounded by a sleeve, both of the sleeves are rotatably mounted in a bore of the breechblock body and penetrate into the control grooves of the breechblock carrier, and holding means or elements fastened to the control bolt to secure the sleeves against axial displacement.

Abstract: A belt-fed, gas-operated, air cooled automatic firearm having a novel mechanism for transferring link-connected ammunition rounds from a novel ammunition magazine to a feed position in an automatic firearm and having a novel sear mechanism including an anti-bounce sear for preventing a bolt carrier from bouncing away from the firing position adjacent the firearm barrel.

Abstract: A closed breech rocket gun has a tubular bolt with an outwardly extending lug thereon for locking the bolt in its forwardly projected position as the lug is shifted into engagement with an abutment wall on the receiver by means of a bolt operating plate guided thereon. The bolt operating plate effects retracted and projected movements of the bolt and locks it against the rear portion of the firing chamber at the rear portion of the barrel as it engages the lug in the projected position of the bolt.

Abstract: A firing mechanism for a weapon having a receiver with a chamber for a caidge comprises a bolt and piston which are separately movable toward and away from the chamber and which are engaged with each other for displacing and rotating the bolt into a locked firing position. A buffer is also movable in the receiver and can strike the rear end of the piston. The piston carries a firing pin which can thus be driven into the primer of a cartridge in the chamber. Three sears are provided. Two of the sears are for engaging the piston, one sear for holding the piston in a position with its firing pin away from the cartridge but with the bolt against the chamber and in its locked position. The other sear for the piston holds the piston with the bolt in a position away from the chamber. This is for open bolt operation. A third sear is provided for engaging the buffer for closed bolt operation.