Device to separate the links of an ammunition belt

• US 20080245219A1
• Filed: 12/20/2007
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nexter Systems (KNDS NV)
• Original Assignee: Nexter Systems (KNDS NV)
• Inventors: Moucheboeuf, Gerard, Gerbault, Gerard
• Granted Patent: US 7,578,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 89/35.02
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 9/60 Empty-cartridge-case or belt-link collectors or catchers F41A9/81 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 39/08 Cartridge belts

Abstract

A device to separate the links (M1, M2) of an ammunition belt, such belt exiting a weapon after firing and in which the links are mounted so as to pivot angularly with respect to one another, a relative pivoting position of a first link (M1) with respect to the following link (M2) enabling said first link to be unhooked, device incorporating elastic means integral with a support of said weapon and placed in proximity to the exit of said belt from this support, and able to make each link pivot with respect to the following one, wherein said elastic means comprise at least one tab placed above an exit of said belt, said tab being pushed by the exiting of a first link (M1) against the action of spring means and which cooperates with a rear edge of the body of said first link (M1) to make it pivot with respect to said following link (M2) thus unhooking it.

Claims

1. A device to separate the links (M1, M2) of an ammunition belt, such belt exiting a weapon after firing and in which the links are mounted so as to pivot angularly with respect to one another, a relative pivoting position of a first link (M1) with respect to the following link (M2) enabling said first link to be unhooked, device incorporating elastic means integral with a support of said weapon and placed in proximity to the exit of said belt from this support, and able to make each link pivot with respect to the following one, wherein said elastic means comprise at least one tab placed above an exit of said belt, said tab being pushed by the exiting of a first link (M1) against the action of spring means and which cooperates with a rear edge of the body of said first link (M1) to make it pivot with respect to said following link (M2) thus unhooking it.

2. A link separation device according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises a support band arranged below said belt exit, said band supporting said link (M1) during the displacement of said tab or tabs and as said link (M1) is pivoting.

3. A link separation device according to claim 1, wherein each said tab is an elastic tab deformed by the passage of said links, each said tab thus forming in itself said spring means making said link body pivot.

4. A link separation device according to claim 1, wherein each said tab is a rigid tab integral with a torsion spring which will constitute said spring means able to make said link body pivot.

5. A link separation device according to claim 3, wherein said device incorporates two tabs that are positioned on either side of said support band.

6. A link separation device according to claim 4, wherein said device incorporates two tabs that are positioned on either side of said support band.