Link separation device for an ammunition belt

• US 20090249947A1
• Filed: 03/26/2009
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nexter Systems (KNDS NV)
• Original Assignee: Nexter Systems (KNDS NV)
• Inventors: Coiffet, Pierre, Sennegon, Jean-Louis
• Granted Patent: US 8,037,801 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 89/35.20
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 9/54 Cartridge guides, stops or positioners, e.g. for cartridge extraction
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 9/55 Fixed or movable guiding means, mounted on, or near, the cartridge chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 9/60 Empty-cartridge-case or belt-link collectors or catchers F41A9/81 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 9/81 having provision for collecting belt links or empty cartridge cases
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 39/08 Cartridge belts
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 39/085 for blank cartridges

Abstract

A link separation device for an ammunition belt, said belt exiting a weapon after firing via an opening and in which an assembly of links (M1, M2) are mounted able to pivot angularly with respect to one another, each of said links incorporating two lateral stirrups and one median stirrup, said median stirrup of a first link (M1) of said links being able to pivot in grooves in said lateral stirrups of a second link (M2) of said links, a relative pivoting position of said first link (M1) with respect to said second link (M2) following said first link (M1) enabling said first link (M1) to be unhooked, said links additionally being positioned with respect to said device in a position such that the pivoting ensuring the unlocking and the unhooking of said first link (M1) can be made naturally by the action of gravity exerted on said first link (M1), wherein said device incorporates means to ensure said first link (M1) rocks over as well as means to guide and means to support said second link (M2) following as said first link (M1) is rocking over.

Claims

1. A link separation device for an ammunition belt, said belt exiting a weapon after firing via an opening and in which an assembly of links (M1, M2) are mounted able to pivot angularly with respect to one another, each of said links incorporating two lateral stirrups and one median stirrup, said median stirrup of a first link (M1) of said links being able to pivot in grooves in said lateral stirrups of a second link (M2) of said links, a relative pivoting position of said first link (M1) with respect to said second link (M2) following said first link (M1) enabling said first link (M1) to be unhooked, said links additionally being positioned with respect to said device in a position such that the pivoting ensuring the unlocking and the unhooking of said first link (M1) can be made naturally by the action of gravity exerted on said first link (M1), wherein said device incorporates means to ensure said first link (M1) rocks over as well as means to guide and means to support said second link (M2) following as said first link (M1) is rocking over.

2. A link separation device according to claim 1, wherein said rocking means are constituted by at least one elastic blade positioned above the exit opening for said belt, said blade pressing against the body of said first link (M1) when a following link is being supported by the guidance means.

3. A link separation device according to claim 2, wherein said rocking means are constituted by two elastic blades each intended to cooperate with a lateral stirrup of said first link (M1).

4. A link separation device according to claim 1, wherein said means to support and guide said links are constituted by at least two substantially horizontal fins cooperating with tabs integral with the body of said second link (M2).

5. A link separation device according to claim 4, wherein said fins extend towards the inside of said opening so as to support two adjacent links.

6. A link separation device according to claim 1, wherein said device incorporates separation means constituted by at least one rigid blade intended to form a limit stop for said median stirrup of said first link (M1).

7. A link separation device according to claim 1, wherein said device incorporates a deflector arranged below said opening.

8. A link separation device according to claim 7, wherein said deflector is constituted by a plate integral with a guiding channel for said links.

9. A link separation device according to claim 6, wherein said device incorporates a deflector arranged below said opening.

10. A link separation device according to claim 4, wherein said device incorporates separation means constituted by at least one rigid blade intended to form a limit stop for said median stirrup of said first link (M1).