US3316810A

US3316810A - Multiple shotgun firing mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3316810A
Application number: US482954A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mitchell G Angelos; Robert W Schnepfe; Iii Jacob Sofinowski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-08-26
Filing date: 1965-08-26
Publication date: 1967-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 1984-05-02

Description

M y 1957 M. G. ANGELOS ETAL 3,316,810

MULTIPLE SHOTGUN FIRING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 26, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS, mz'zc/rell 6. /4n9e/as, fiober/ (J. Sc mepfe,

Jacob 30517005140, H

M. G. ANGELOS ETAL 3,316,810

May 2, 1967 MULTIPLE SHOTGUN FIRING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 26, 1965 INVENTOR);

United States Patent Army Filed Aug. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 482,954 3 Claims. (CI. 89-28) This invention relates to a multiple shotgun firing mechanism and more particularly to a mechanism for firing a plurality of shotguns or like weapons.

The present invention is especially adapted for mounting on military vehicles such as jeeps, etc., and is particularly useful as a defense weapon against a sudden ambush and at a comparatively close range.

The firing mechanism consists, briefiy of a bracket having a sliding, spring biased plate which is provided with three aligned firing pins, the center one being released by a solenoid connected to a source of electrical energy such as a vehicles electrical system.

Existing multifiring devices have been unreliable due to such forces as vibration and shock causing premature firing of the weapons.

The firing mechanism of this invention is further provided with a unique safety feature consisting of a safety pin that normally prevents axial movement of the firing pins but which is removed by a second solenoid when it is desired to free the firing pin for release by the first sole noid.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a multiple shotgun firing mechanism for firing a plurality of shotguns, or like weapons, simultaneously.

Another object is to provide a firing mechanism having a positive lock in the cocked position to prevent the firing pins from releasing due to vibration or shock.

A further object is to provide positive alignment of the firing pins when the mechanism is actuated.

A final object is to provide a safety means to prevent the actuation of the firing mechanism by premature release of the positive lock.

These and other objects advantages of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the annexed drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the firing mechanism of this invention illustrating two units assembled;

FIG. 2 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a similar, fragmentary view and showing the mechanism in its fired position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional detail taken along line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial similar view showing the lock in its released position; and,

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the safety means and taken along line 77 of FIG. 3.

Referring in detail to the drawings, reference character 1 indicates generally the firing mechanism of the invention and consists of at least one unit comprising a mounting plate 2 having holes 3 at its rearward end for the purpose of mounting on a vehicle, etc.

A breech block 4 is fixed to the forward end of the plate 2 which is designed for receiving a plurality of shotgun barrels or like weapons. The barrels are not shown, neither is the manner of their mounting, since they do not form a part of this invention and since many types of weapons could be fired by the mechanism, such as sawed-off shotguns, clips of scatter shot ammunition, etc. The shape of the breech block 4 would necessarily be designed to fit the particular type weapon or charge to be fired therefrom. As shown, breech block 4 is arcuate at its forward end for directing shot in a fan like manner to cover a wide area.

A back plate 5 is spaced rearwardly from breech block 4 and is connected to the rear end thereof by four rods 6. Plate 5 is fixed on rods 6 and is therefore stationary.

A firing pin plate 7 is slidable on rods 6 and is normally biased away from plate 5 by coil springs 8 which encircle each rod 6.

Firing pin plate 7 carries two fixed firing pins 9 and one central firing pin 10 threadable therein. All

firing pins

9 and 10 are in horizontal alignment and are, fur, ther, evenly spaced.

Firing pin 10 is provided rearwardly with an enlarged, external threaded portion 11, which is threadedly engaged centrally in firing pin plate 7, and a reduced, rearwardly extending, externally threaded portion 12 which is threadably engaged in a cylindrical shaft 13.

Shaft 13 is slidable in a tubular housing 14 which is fixed at its rearward end centrally in back plate 5.

Firing pin 10, portions 11 and 12 and shaft 13 are in axial alignment.

Shaft 13 is provided with annular reduced portion 15 and an annular groove 16 as shown and housing 14 is provided with a forwardly disposed reduced portion 17, one radially disposed bore 18 and three radially disposed bores 19 located between reduced portion 17 and bore 18, all for a purpose to be described.

An annular cam lever 20 is rotatably mounted on reduced portion 17 on housing 14 and is secured thereon by a snap ring 21.

Cam lever 20 is provided with an integral, perforated clevis 22 and three grooves 23 formed in its inner peripheral surface.

Three steel ball 24 are received, one each, in radial bores 19 and ride in groove 16, as best seen in FIG. 5.

Means are provided for the rotation of cam lever 20 and consist of a firing solenoid 25 mounted on a plate 26 which is fixed on breech block 4. The solenoid 25 is provided with an armature 27 which is normally urged outwardly by a spring 28 (see FIG. 5). Armature 27 is connected to a linkage 29, which is pivotally mounted on a pin fixed to breech block 4. The other end of linkage 29 has a forked end straddling a pin 22 through clevis 22 of cam lever 20. The outer end of pin 30 is supported by an upstanding car 31 fixed on back plate 5.

The rotation of cam lever 20 is limited by stop pins 32 which are fixed to back plate 5.

Means are provided for locking firing pin 10 against axial movement in housing 14 and consists of a safety pin 33 normally slidably through radial bore 18 and received in reduced portion 15 in shaft 13.

A safety solenoid 34 fixed on plate 26 is provided with an. armature 35 connected to a linkage 36 pivoted on pin 30. Linkage 36 is pivoted at its other end to pin 33' as seen in FIG. 7.

In use, the mounting plate 2 is bolted to a vehicle through holes 3.

Solenoids

25 and 34 are in electrical connection with the vehicles electrical systems and appropriate switches (not shown) are placed at convenient locations for closing an electric circuit (also not shown) to energize the solenoids.

FIG. 1 illustrates a mounting plate 2 with two firing units, which makes for six firings. Hence six shotgun barrels (not shown) with appropriately designed mountings (also not shown) are mounted in breech block 4 so that a

firing pin

9 or 10 will be aligned with a cartridge detonator in its firing chamber. Each unit has three firing pins. More units can be utilized if desired by using 3 a mounting plate having a greater are. The plate shown in FIG. 1 has an arc of 50.

The mechanism 1 will be in cocked position as shown in FIG. 3, wherein balls 24 are locked in annular groove 16 with shaft 13 retracted. Firing pin plate 7 and pin 10 are also retracted. As long as cam lever is not rotated, balls 24 lock shaft 13 against axial movement.

When solenoid 25 is energized, armature 27 is retracted and, through linkage 29 which pivots on pin 30, cam lever is rotated (see FIGS. 5 and 6) balls 24 are cammed out of annular groove 16 and enter grooves 23 thu releasing shaft 13 to move forward under bias of spring 8 and plate 7 carrying firing pins 9 will cause the firing of three rounds of ammunition.

The safety pin 33, does not prevent rotation of the cam lever 20, but prevents shaft 13 and its firing pin 10 from axial movement. To remove pin 33 from reduced portion on 13, solenoid 34- is energized by a separate switch (not shown) and armature 35 retracts and pivots linkage 36 about pin 30 and pin 33 Will be lifted upwardly and outwardly from bore 18.

Upon de-energization of

solenoids

25 and 34, the mechanism may be recocked. The firing pin plate 7 is pushed back until balls 24 fall into annular groove 16 (spring 28 will have caused rotation of cam lever 20) and safety pin 33 will be urged into reduced portion 15 by a return spring 37 which biases between a pin 38 and a plate 39 fixed on back plate 5. Hence the only manual operation necessary is to push back on plate 7 until it is automatically locked in cocked position.

The firing mechanism of this invention, while shown as used for a multiple firing arrangement, could as well be used for a single fire. As many firing pins can be carried by the firing pin plate as is feasible.

It is apparent that an improved firing mechanism has been devised affording a positive lock in its cocked position as well as having an efficient safety feature ncorporated therein.

While only a preferred form of the invention has been shown and described, other forms of the invention are contemplated and numerous changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A firing mechanism for firing a plurality of weapons simultaneously comprising, a mounting plate, a breech block secured to said mounting plate, a series of rearwardly extending rods fixed to said breech block, a back plate fixed to the rearward ends of said rods, a spring biased firing plate slidable on said rods, at least three horizontally aligned, symmetrically spaced firing pins fixed on said firing plate and slidable through said breech block, the central one of said pins having a rearwardly extending threaded portion, a tubular housing having a radial bore therein and fixed centrally in and extending forwardly from said back plate, a shaft, having an annular reduced portion, slidable in said tubular housing, said shaft being threadably engaged with said threaded portion of said central firing pin, a first electrically operating triggering means, supported on said breech block and associated with said tubular housing for releasably holding said firing plate in a cocked position relative to said breech block and a second electrically operated safety means, supported on said breech block for releasably locking said firing plate in said cocked position comprising an electric solenoid having a sliding armature, a safety pin slidable through said radial bore in said tubular housing and in said annular reduced portion of said shaft and a spring loaded link connecting said armature and said pin whereby when said solenoid is energized said pin will be withdrawn from said annular reduced portion on said shaft to permit release of said firing plate by said first electrically operated means.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said three firing pins are parallelly arranged and said breech block is arcuately formed to receive more than one firing mechanism to provide diverging firing of weapons therefrom.

3. A multiple firing mechanism comprising in combination, a mounting plate for attachment on a vehicle, an arcuate breech block secured to the forward end of said mounting plate, a series of rods fixed to and extending rearwardly from said breech block, a back plate fixed on the rearward ends of said rods, a spring braised firing plate slidable on said rods, at least three horizontally aligned firing pins fixed on said firing plate and slidable through said breech block, a first electrically operated means supported by said breech block for releasably retaining said firing plate in a cocked position relative to said breech block comprising a forwardly extending tubular housing fixed centrally in said back plate, there being a series of radial bores in the forward portion of said housing, a shaft slidable in said housing and being attached to the central firing pin of said plurality of firing pins, a cam lever having a series of grooves in its inner peripheral surface and being rotatably mounted on said tubular housing, an electrical solenoid, having a spring loaded sliding armature, supported on said breech block, a linkage connecting said armature with said lever, a steel ball nested in each said radial bore in said tubular housing whereby when said solenoid is energized, said linkage will rotate said cam lever and each said steel ball will fall into a corresponding said groove in said cam lever whereby said firing pins and said firing plate will move forward as a unit, and a second electrically operated means supported by said breech block for releasably locking said firing plate in said cocked position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 928,344 7/1909 Swahn 89-28 1,340,111 5/1920 Bonali. 2,717,042 9/1955 Grant et a1 891 X 2,761,128 8/1956 Webb 89-28 X 3,214,857 11/1965 Tyrone et al. 4269 FOREIGN PATENTS 850,162 2/ 1896 Germany.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.

S. C. BENTLEY, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A FIRING MECHANISM FOR FIRING A PLURALITY OF WEAPONS SIMULTANEOUSLY COMPRISING, A MOUNTING PLATE, A BREECH BLOCK SECURED TO SAID MOUNTING PLATE, A SERIES OF REAWRWARDLY EXTENDING RODS FIXED TO SAID BREECH BLOCK, A SPRING PLATE FIXED TO THE REARWARD ENDS OF SAID RODS, A SPRING BIASED FIRING PLATE SLIDABLE ON SAID RODS, AT LEAST THREE HORIZONTALLY ALIGNED, SYMMETRICALLY SPACED FIRING PINS FIXED ON SAID FIRING PLATE AND SLIDABLE THROUGH SAID BREECH BLOCK, THE CENTRAL ONE OF SAID PINS HAVING A REARWARDLY EXTENDING THREADED PORTION, A TUBULAR HOUSING HAVING A RADIAL BORE THEREIN AND FIXED CENTRALLY IN AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM SAID BACK PLATE, A SHAFT, HAVING AN ANNULAR REDUCED PORTION, SLIDABLE IN SAID TUBULAR HOUSING, SAID SHAFT BEING THREADABLY ENGAGED WITH SAID THREADED PORTION OF SAID CENTRAL FIRING PIN, A FIRST ELECTRICALLY OPERATING TRIGGERING MEANS, SUPPORTED ON SAID BREECH BLOCK AND ASSOCIATED WITH SAID TUBULAR HOUSING FOR RELEASABLY HOLDING SAID FIRING PLATE IN A COCKED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID BREECH BLOCK AND A SECOND ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SAFETY MEANS, SUPPORTED ON SAID BREECH BLOCK FOR RELEASABLY LOCKING SAID FIRING PLATE IN SAID COCKED POSITION COMPRISING AN ELECTRIC SOLENOID HAVING A SLIDING ARMATURE, A SAFETY PIN SLIDABLE THROUGH SAID RADIAL BORE IN SAID TUBULAR HOUSING AND IN SAID ANNULAR REDUCED PORTION OF SAID SHAFT AND A SPRING LOADED LINK CONNECTING SAID ARMATURE AND SAID PIN WHEREBY WHEN SAID SOLENOID IS ENERGIZED SAID PIN WILL BE WITH DRAWN FROM SAID ANNULAR REDUCED PORTION ON SAID SHAFT TO PERMIT RELEASE OF SAID FIRING PLATE BY SAID FIRST ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MEANS.